Most people think of running and think of getting into shape, working out, or losing weight. But would you think that some go on runs to get high? Whether it is to relieve the stress from a busy day or to help deal with withdrawal, many dedicated runners are running to seek out the sense of euphoria and peace triggered during or after a particularly hard run as a solution for their problems. But many of these people don’t know what a runner’s high really is and what causes it. 

Runner’s high, as defined by nationally certified personal trainer Daniel Bubnis, is the “brief, relaxing state of euphoria” caused during an especially long or difficult workout. Contrary to popular belief, the chemical reaction that causes runner’s high rarely is strong enough to create a noticeable sensation of peace and happiness. Additionally, not every run will give you this feeling, in reality, it is thought to be rather rare. Many people will go on run after run trying to reach this state of euphoria and never experience it. Not only is runner’s high rare it also needs to have much work put into it to be reached. When it kicks in during a run, it often does so after several miles, or about 30 – 45 minutes.  

A runner’s high is believed by most to be caused by endorphins, which are also known as “happy” or “feel-good” chemicals because of the feeling of pleasure and happiness triggered when they are released into the blood stream. Yes, endorphins are released while running, but only as a “natural pain reliever” and it was believed by scientists for many years that these were the cause of runner’s high. But more recent research points to a different molecule being to blame for this work-out euphoria: endocannabinoids. Yeah, it's a mouthful of a word. Endocannabinoids are very similar to THC, the chemical mostly responsible for the feeling of being high while taking marijuana. Endocannabinoids are always in the blood stream, but the level of them increase significantly during exercise. While endorphins are too large to pass from the bloodstream and through the blood-brain barrier, endocannabinoids are smaller and can pass through and spread into the brain, causing the euphoric feeling known as runner’s high.  

We can only theorize as to why runner’s high occurs, but by far the most logical and widely accepted theory is that we have this reaction to help us through pain in times of need. While our ancestors were hunting for food, they would get injured, go days without food, become exhausted, and have to hike through uncomfortable weather conditions. It is thought that during these tough times, runner’s high developed so they could push through and continue to run and hunt.  

Is runner’s high a good or bad thing? When hearing that the cause of this effect is a chemical similar to THC, many peoples’ brains will immediately think negatively. But in reality, runner’s high has no clear drawbacks, and many important benefits. It leads people to enjoy exercise. When exercise or running gives you a calm, relaxed, and happy feeling afterwards, it will make you want to go run again and again to get the same sensation, sort of like how people continue to do drugs to get the feeling of being high; minus the whole unhealthy addiction part. It also decreases anxiety and increases focus and memory by improving connections in between neurons in your brain.  

Runner’s high may seem like a mythological way to convince drug addicts to get in shape, but it does exist, and for everyone. Anyone can run long enough and experience the euphoric feelings caused by endocannabinoids rushing into your brain during a run. And while a feeling of being ‘high’ while exercising can sound controversial, it is proven to only have benefits for your body and mind. So why not? Live, run, get high.