According to Dr. Jesse Pittsley, president of the American Society for Exercise Physiologists, “Psychologically, runners may experience euphoria, a feeling of being invincible, a reduced state of discomfort or pain, and even a loss in sense of timing while running.” Many swimmers, cyclers, rowers and other athletes have all experienced a similar feeling at some point during their sport. Some call it “the zone.”
Studies on athletes show that endorphin levels increase with exercise, which can have a morphine-like effect on the body and promote a feeling of euphoria. However, studies have shown that even after chemically blocking endorphins, the study participants still experienced the high, leading other researchers to suggest that a rise in body temperature during physical activity may indirectly lead to runner’s high.
According to Ilchi Lee, originator of the Brain Education System Training (BEST) and author of In Full Bloom: A Brain Education Guide for Successful Aging, “When you exercise, you stimulate the release of biochemicals such as endorphins, nor-epinephrine, dopamine and serotonin, which produce feelings of joy and peace. Healthy exercise feels great.”
These feelings of joy and peace lead to improved brain function, a more positive attitude and increased self-esteem. So the next time you’re working out, push yourself a little harder. Instead of pain, you may find gain…and a new love of exercise.
Popular Brain Tips 
The mythical runner’s high. Many have experienced it, some have never felt it and others question if it even exists. For the doubters, scientists generally agree on two key points—it’s real, and if you want to experience it, get exercising…because you don’t have to be a runner to experience the runner’s high. What the scientists don’t agree on is what causes the runner’s high.
