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!e've all heard marathon runners describe feelings of euphoria and exhilaration that accompany running, a phenomenon termed the "runner's high." But contrary to what some anti-exercising factions would have us believe, this "high" isn't some fantasy-driven myth used to get us off the couch. This feeling of enhanced well-being is actually the result of chemicals known as beta-endorphins, and many psychological benefits of regular exercise (increased pain tolerance, greater appetite control, reduced anxiety) are said to be the result of beta-endorphin release.
The runner's high isn't a new sensation in the exercising community, but the concept of the bodybuilder's high just might be. Never heard of the bodybuilder's high? Probably not, because, well, I just made it up. Based on my review of beta-endorphin research, however, I do believe that such a feeling exists during weight training.
Beta-endorphin is a neurohormone released from the pituitary gland located within the brain, and the word endorphin derives from the term endogenous morphine. Morphine (opium) is known to relieve pain (analgesia), produce euphoric feelings and be very addictive, Interestingly, beta-endorphins appear to bind to the same receptors in the brain as morphine and thus...