Marijuana buzz linked to "runner's high": an alternative to using marijuana?

Faye · 01-11-2004, 03:13 PM

Oddly Enough - UK Reuters

Marijuana buzz linked to "runner's high"
Fri Jan 9,

By Paul Simao

ATLANTA (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.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...ealth_exercise

metronycguy · 01-11-2004, 04:25 PM

i go for that theory, and i know people beside myself that it has worked for. i had a friend that had severe back pain and the only thing that made her feel better was running , finally tirned out she had a tumor in the cauda equina roots, i am suffering now since i cant cycle, thats my best pain killer , lets me sleep in the evening naturally...

antiquity · 01-11-2004, 05:23 PM

Hi Faye, I'm going to copy this article to the Exercise Forum.

Thanks for contributing.

01-11-2004, 03:13 PM	#1
Faye Banned Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 6,840	Marijuana buzz linked to "runner's high": an alternative to using marijuana? Oddly Enough - UK Reuters Marijuana buzz linked to "runner's high" Fri Jan 9, By Paul Simao ATLANTA (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. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...ealth_exercise

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01-11-2004, 04:25 PM	#2
metronycguy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: ny Posts: 5,674	i go for that theory, and i know people beside myself that it has worked for. i had a friend that had severe back pain and the only thing that made her feel better was running , finally tirned out she had a tumor in the cauda equina roots, i am suffering now since i cant cycle, thats my best pain killer , lets me sleep in the evening naturally...

01-11-2004, 05:23 PM	#3
antiquity Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 14,540	Hi Faye, I'm going to copy this article to the Exercise Forum. Thanks for contributing.