Runner's High: Fact or Fiction?

Runner’s high is the feeling of euphoria felt by runners (and indeed by many athletes) during or after vigorous exercise. For many years, however, sport scientists could not prove whether runner’s high really existed, or if it was simply people feeling good while exercising.

Rush of euphoria

Runner's high has been described as an intense rush of euphoria, often compared to the 'high' induced by some drugs. Some people just experience intense happiness or even cry. For others, though, runner's high belongs to the realm of myth. Yes, running might evoke a feeling of satisfaction, but perhaps the only intense feeling they experience is relief as they pass over the finish line.

Release of endorphins

Sport scientists have worked for years to shed light on this phenomenon, hoping to find a biochemical explanation for the anecdotal runner's high. It had been suspected that body exercise could prompt the release of endorphins, which could explain the mood changes described by athletes.

However, researchers faced a hurdle in methodology. Until recently the only way to test if endorphins were present in the brain was by a spinal tap. This method made it simply impossible to test athletes before and after exercise.

The verdict

In 2008 a research team from Germany published a paper in the journal Cerebral Cortex, reporting that they had found an accurate method for measuring endorphins before and after exercise. In the experiment, twelve athletes were scanned and the level of endorphins in their brains measured. Then they completed a two hour run, and were scanned again afterwards. The findings showed that "the level of endorphins was significantly increased after running".

Finally, the debate can be laid to rest: runner’s high is fact, not fiction.

Expert contribution by Douglas Wakiihuri. Wakiihuri is a retired Kenyan long-distance runner. He won the gold medal in the marathon at the 1987 World Championships in Rome, making him the first Kenyan to take gold at that level of competition. He won the silver medal in the marathon at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Wakiihuri was easy to spot in races since he always wore white gloves.