Running groups, virtual challenges, charity events, and social media posts, running has never been so popular. People of all ages are lacing up their running shoes, whether it is to run on the streets, the beach, in the forest, or on a treadmill. The ING Night Marathon de Luxembourg has shown a continuous growth in popularity. Every year, the event sells out, with over 16,000 runners taking part in all disciplines. Running has been booming in the last years, becoming more than just a form of exercise; it’s a lifestyle embraced by millions worldwide. What is behind this running hype, and what are its relations to the brain?
Obesity and brain health
We are living in an obesogenic environment, where factors such as availability of fast foods and sedentary work, contribute to a global obesity pandemic. The time in which obesity was only related to heart diseases and body image is gone. Numerous studies have shown its tremendous health effects, including the brain. Obesity has been related to depression1 and dementia2. Is it the increasing prevalence of obesity and brain-related diseases driving people to run? Do they want to compensate for their unhealthy lifestyle to improve their physical health? Or are there other motivations?
Running as a lifestyle
Running isn’t just a physical exercise, it’s a lifestyle that positively affects physical, mental and social health. It can be a perfect coping strategy to deal with stress. Digitalization created a society where everyone expects direct action and some companies expect their employees to be available 24/7, which puts a lot of stress on them. Everyone handles this stress in different ways. This can be in a healthy way, like playing an instrument, taking care of a pet or the garden, or performing a sport. However, someone can also cope with stress in an unhealthy way, like alcohol use, smoking, or overeating. Running can be a healthy strategy to deal with stress and may create social connections, preventing loneliness. Strava, the physical exercise tracking application with over 135 million members from more than 190 countries, incorporates social network features to offer a holistic view of your active lifestyle. Its 2024 Year In Sport report concluded that running clubs are the new nightclubs.
A runner’s high
Running may put you in a euphoric state called ‘runner’s high’. This term describes the sudden mood boost, sense of calm, or pain-relieving effect after running. For years, scientists believed that endorphins (our body’s natural painkillers) created in our brain were responsible for runner’s high3. Endorphins are hormones your body releases when it feels pain or stress. They’re released during pleasurable activities such as physical exercise, massage, eating and sex. However, more recent studies suggest that endocannabinoids, another set of hormones, may play a larger role4. These natural feel-good chemicals have the same effect as THC, the active ingredient in cannabis. They can help to regulate mood, pain, and stress. Running for about 30–60 minutes at a steady pace might trigger the release of these feel-good chemicals5. However, factors like fitness level, genetics, and mood before exercising can influence whether someone experiences runner’s high. In conclusion, running is all the rage! It may have a positive effect on your brain via your physical, mental, and social health. It can even give you an euphoric state. So, if you haven’t tried yet, lace up your shoes and go! Check with your doctor first if you have been leading a sedentary lifestyle for a long time, and start slowly. Ready, steady, … healthy brain ☺.
Interested in learning more about the links between physical activity and your brain health? Explore The Role of Physical Activity in Brain Health: Benefits and Practical Tips
Idea in Brief
- Running has never been more popular, with running groups, virtual challenges, charity events, and social media posts driving its widespread appeal. It may offer a way to counteract the negative effects of an obesogenic environment, serve as an effective coping strategy for stress, foster social connections, prevent loneliness, and improve overall health. More than just physical exercise, running is a lifestyle that enhances mental and social well-being.
- Running can also induce a euphoric state known as ‘runner’s high,’ caused by the release of endorphins and endocannabinoids. These natural chemicals improve mood, reduce pain, and contribute to the overall mental health benefits of running. With its comprehensive health benefits, running is a valuable activity for both brain and body health. Ready, steady, healthy brain!
- De Wit, L., Luppino, F., van Straten, A., Penninx, B., Zitman, F., & Cuijpers, P. (2010). Depression and obesity: a meta-analysis of community-based studies. Psychiatry research, 178(2), 230-235.
- Livingston, G., Huntley, J., Liu, K. Y., Costafreda, S. G., Selbæk, G., Alladi, S., … & Mukadam, N. (2024). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission. The Lancet, 404(10452), 572-628.
- Boecker, H., Sprenger, T., Spilker, M. E., Henriksen, G., Koppenhoefer, M., Wagner, K. J., … & Tolle, T. R. (2008). The runner’s high: opioidergic mechanisms in the human brain. Cerebral cortex, 18(11), 2523-2531.
- Dietrich, A., & McDaniel, W. F. (2004). Endocannabinoids and exercise. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 38(5), 536-541.
- Raichlen, D. A., Foster, A. D., Gerdeman, G. L., Seillier, A., & Giuffrida, A. (2012). Wired to run: Exercise-induced endocannabinoid signaling in humans and cursorial mammals. Journal of Experimental Biology, 215(8), 1331-1336.
