IS EXERCISE ADDICTIVE?
Well you only have to walk round your local high street to see that for
many the answer to this question is “No”, but for those of us who frequent the
gym or run regularly before or after work or would rather skip dinner than our
Pilates class – well it's a possibility. So, what’s the science behind the hard-core body builders and
marathon runners in training?
You might have heard of endorphins.
The endorphin levels in the blood are increased following a
cardiovascular workout. Endorphins are
naturally occurring chemicals which are released during aerobic activity, creating
a pleasurable sensation and that’s why the phrase ‘runner’s high’ was coined. Or perhaps you’ve experienced a moderate
euphoria at the end of step aerobics or a Zumba class – it’s not because the
class is over; because you feel like you could ‘go’ all over again - it’s
because these powerful mood enhancing chemicals have been released into the blood stream and they
attach to certain receptors in the brain inducing a morphine type
stimulus. It’s this pleasurable
sensation that keeps people coming back for more or why they enjoy going out
running.
Research on rodents revealed that opioids, which are pain blocking
proteins, were evident when they spent excessively long periods exercising in
their wheels. If these opioids were
blocked using other medication, the animals reacted similarly to someone who
would experience withdrawal symptoms after being taken off morphine. What is the significance of this? It tells us that lack of this regular
endorphin high can create a withdrawal type response.
Most people would recognise the word endorphins, but there’s also
another chemical, not so widely known, called phenylethylamine. Phenylethylamine produces a very similar
stimulating effect and also boosts energy levels. Why do we need to know this when it’s almost
identical to an endorphin reaction?
Because phenylethylamine also exists in chocolate. For that reason there may be some science to
support the theory that exercise is addictive as research has proved that it promotes
this biochemical reaction.
This addictive response to exercising would be seen by many to be a
healthy addiction; which is true up to a point.
Only when excessive overtraining takes over can it be viewed as negative
or harmful. So keep on the safe side and
love your endorphin lift while enjoying all the beneficial and enriching
rewards of regular exercise.
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