Exercise, the Runner’s High and Endocannabinoids

For a long time, it has been accepted that exercise causes changes in mental condition and performance. It is widely known to assist with pain relief, and that it creates a calm relaxation in the body and a sense of mental well-being; but why does this take place and what is happening within the body?

The “Runner’s High”

When considering the evolutionary theory as to why people experience a Runner’s High, today’s popular view is that for hundreds of thousands of years, humans (specifically Homo Sapiens) developed the ability to run long distances for survival. In short, the flight portion of “fight or flight” response meant that when climbing a tree was not enough to get away from a big-cat, the next best thing was to run.

While many predators prevalent in prehistoric times were capable of reaching much faster speeds for short distances, homo-sapiens could run for much longer at a relatively fast pace. The human anatomy evolved to better cope with the impact, energy depletion, and mental stress of running by deploying the endocannabinoid system. Rather than giving up halfway and being mauled by a big-cat, humans were given a second wind in the form of a Runner’s High to continue their escape and survival. 

Endurance athletes have long appreciated that a change in their mental state takes place during intense exercise – this is often referred to as the “runner’s high”. The runner’s high has received numerous descriptions; as a feeling of elation, happiness, a sense of oneness between themselves and nature, inner peace and harmony, a calm energy, an increased sense of identity and confidence, a heightened feeling of awareness and understanding (similar to descriptions of meditation) and a reduced sense of pain or discomfort.
It’s interesting to note that these descriptions are similar to those received from people who have experienced positive drug or trance situations…

Runner’s High Research 

Research into the runner’s high, however, has been fraught with difficulty for a number of reasons. Evidence of the runner’s high is a personal experience with reports being largely anecdotal. The sensation itself is a transient and fleeting experience which makes any measuring and monitoring problematic. One of the most interesting aspects is that not all runners experience the runner’s high, therefore posing the questions, what conditions are required to generate it and does it exist at all?
Fortunately, recent laboratory data does show that endurance exercise stimulates the endocannabinoid system. Trained college students were tested after running or cycling for 50 minutes at 70% – 80% maximum heart rate, it was found that even exercise at this moderate-intensity significantly increased concentrations of anandamide in blood plasma. Anandamide is a lipid mediator that acts as an endogenous ligand of CB1 receptors (a protein produced by the body, a ligand is an ion or molecule that binds to a central metal atom to form a coordination complex).

This activation of the endocannabinoid system affects emotional and cognitive actions as well as reducing pain sensations. Because cannabinoid receptors are present in muscle, skin, blood and lymphatic capillary and lung cells – the finding above suggests a possible role for the endocannabinoid system in delivering certain physiological responses in the body.

Cannabinoids and Exercise Inducing Pain-relief

The role of the endocannabinoid system in pain relief as an alternative neuromodulatory system in the perception of pain has been the focus of much CBD research. (Neuromodulators are broadly defined as substances which alter the way nerves communicate with each other and, consequently, the overall activity level of the brain). Pain relief is managed in part by the endogenous opioid system, however, there is evidence of a pain relief response in areas which are non-responsive/insensitive to opioids but which are mediated by CB1 receptors. The strength and efficiency of cannabinoids in reducing or blocking the physical response to pain rivals that of morphine (1).

Unlike opioid based pain relief through the suppression of pain neurotransmission, the endocannabinoid system has been shown to suppress pain not only at central, but also at peripheral nerve concentrations i.e. nerves that are outside of the central nervous system (which is your brain and spinal chord).

Exercise improves your body’s responsiveness to CBD

As we’ve discussed, exercise is one of the ways in which you can help your ECS function more effectively – improving your wellness and enhancing the efficacy of your endocannabinoids.
With an efficiently operating ECS, which you recognisably stimulate and feel a response aka ‘the runner’s high’ through intense exercise; there is evidence that you will have an improved ECS response to CBD supplements. CBD will work better within your body and you will feel a more favourable response and sensation.
 As such, as a high responder, you are an ideal candidate enjoy the benefits of CBD through any supplements you choose to use.

(1) Pertwee RG. Cannabinoid Receptors and Pain, Prog Neurobiol 2001; 63: 569-661).