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Hit the highs
Running has been shown to release endorphins and aid with sleep
Beyond the positive influence exercise identify links between exercise and from Oxford University even found that
has upon your muscle strength, fat levels feelings of euphoria that stem from the simply exercising in groups raised the
and general physical well-being, exercise release of hormones. “The ‘runner’s high’ release of endorphins quicker for some
can trigger a series of chemical reactions as we now know it stems from the than exercising alone.
that influence the your hormonal creation in the body of endorphins, “These endorphins are opioid
response and brain activity. designed to ease pain in the body.” neuropeptides – chemicals that numb
“One of the most widely acknowledged Although the ‘sweet spot’ for endorphin pain, similar to opioids such as morphine
benefits is the ‘runner’s high’,” explains release is commonly said to be a or codeine,” adds Dr Herbert. As a result,
Dr Peter Herbert, a physiologist at the comfortable-to-hard effort run, Dr exercise and the release of endorphin
University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Herbert points out that many forms of substances may contribute to pain relief
Back in the 1990s, researchers began to exercise can trigger the high. Research and relaxation.
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52 BBC SCIENCE FOCUS MAGAZINE COLLECTION
