dude, where's my bike?

http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/01/11...eut/index.html

Study links marijuana buzz to 'runner's high'

Sunday, January 11, 2004 Posted: 4:19 AM EST (0919 GMT)

ATLANTA, Georgia (Reuters) -- The same family of chemicals that produces a
buzz in marijuana smokers may be responsible for "runner's high," the
euphoric feeling that some people get when they exercise, U.S. researchers
say.

High levels of anandamide were found in young men who ran or cycled at a
moderate rate for about an hour, according to a study made public this week
by the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of California,
Irvine.

Anandamide is a cannabinoid, or lipid molecule, that is naturally produced
in the body. It is known to produce sensations that are similar to those of
THC, the psychoactive property in marijuana.

The study's findings, which were recently published in the journal
NeuroReport, fly in the face of those who believe that the release of brain
chemicals called endorphins cause the peculiar high that some runners and
cyclists claim to feel.

Arne Dietrich, the study's principal investigator and a former visiting
professor at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, believes the body releases
cannabinoids to help it cope with the prolonged stress and pain of moderate
or intense exercise.

"No other study has ever considered this possibility, which is why the
results are so significant," said Dietrich, who added that there were no
indications that cannabinoids caused any harm when naturally released during
intense exercise.

He added that the findings could provide sufferers of glaucoma and chronic
diseases an alternative to using marijuana for pain control. Use of the drug
for medical purposes has been approved by voters in some states, but remains
illegal under federal law and highly controversial in the medical community.

The 24 young men who participated in Dietrich's study were asked to run,
cycle or sit. If they ran or cycled, participants began with a brief
warm-up, followed by 45 minutes of moderate exercise and then a short
cool-down period.

Dietrich said further studies were necessary to determine the precise nature
of the increase in cannabinoids during physical activity and to what degree
the intensity, duration and type of exercise affected their release.

The "runner's high" theory emerged in the United States during the running
craze of the 1970s, when researchers discovered the brain's opiate
receptors, which are proteins located on the surface of nerve cells.

Some scientists, however, say the concept is a myth.

jim gravity wrote:
http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/01/11...eut/index.html

Study links marijuana buzz to 'runner's high'


I've known this for years! Maybe not the scientific reasons, but I feel it.
If I can't get one, I just use the other!

Matt

In rec.bicycles.misc MattB wrote:
: I've known this for years! Maybe not the scientific reasons, but I feel it.
: If I can't get one, I just use the other!

d'oh! there goes your cushy government job. google is vicious.
--
david reuteler

jim gravity wrote:
http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/01/11...eut/index.html

Study links marijuana buzz to 'runner's high'

{snip}

I only experienced a *true* runner's high once, many years ago.

In the middle of a long (14 mile) group training run, I just felt a certain
"effortless no pain zone feeling" that was wonderful.

Then we passed some friends running in other direction, and the trance was
broken.

Never got it back.

Bill "wah" S.

In article , sorni@bite-
me.san.rr.com says...
jim gravity wrote:
http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/01/11...eut/index.html

Study links marijuana buzz to 'runner's high'

{snip}

I only experienced a *true* runner's high once, many years ago.

In the middle of a long (14 mile) group training run, I just felt a certain
"effortless no pain zone feeling" that was wonderful.

I usually feel a certain euphoric feeling after a hard aerobic workout
(as long as I'm not totally exhausted) whether it's on a bike or
running. I'm not sure if it's the same thing others call the
"runner's high", though. It might just be a feeling of accomplishment
making me feel good. I don't get that feeling from a weights workout
though.


Then we passed some friends running in other direction, and the trance was
broken.

Never got it back.

Sometimes my body's just "in the zone", and feels like I could go on
forever. Doesn't happen often though; certainly not as much as the
post-workout euphoria.


--
Dave Kerber
Fight spam: remove the ns_ from the return address before replying!

REAL programmers write self-modifying code.

David Kerber wrote:
In article , sorni@bite-
me.san.rr.com says...

I only experienced a *true* runner's high once, many years ago.

In the middle of a long (14 mile) group training run, I just felt a
certain "effortless no pain zone feeling" that was wonderful.

I usually feel a certain euphoric feeling after a hard aerobic workout
(as long as I'm not totally exhausted) whether it's on a bike or
running. I'm not sure if it's the same thing others call the
"runner's high", though.

Right. I almost always feel really good AFTER a long ride (don't run any
more), but it's elusive to get that feeling you describe below. That's what
I consider to be "runner's high".

Sometimes my body's just "in the zone", and feels like I could go on
forever. Doesn't happen often though; certainly not as much as the
post-workout euphoria.

Bingo.

Bill "endorphin-challenged" S.

Duh, you have to smoke a big bowl beforehand if you want a reliable runner's
high.


"S o r n i" wrote in message
...
jim gravity wrote:
http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/01/11...eut/index.html

Study links marijuana buzz to 'runner's high'

{snip}

I only experienced a *true* runner's high once, many years ago.

In the middle of a long (14 mile) group training run, I just felt a
certain
"effortless no pain zone feeling" that was wonderful.

Then we passed some friends running in other direction, and the trance was
broken.

Never got it back.

Bill "wah" S.

Chris Phillipo wrote:
In article , sorni@bite-
me.san.rr.com says...
jim gravity wrote:
http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/01/11...eut/index.html

Study links marijuana buzz to 'runner's high'

{snip}

I only experienced a *true* runner's high once, many years ago.

In the middle of a long (14 mile) group training run, I just felt a
certain "effortless no pain zone feeling" that was wonderful.

Then we passed some friends running in other direction, and the
trance was broken.

Never got it back.

Bill "wah" S.




I felt that once in a snowshoe race, but a few minutes after I left
the snow boarder's snow cave it went away.

Musta' been the schwag!

Matt