It is not uncommon for me to engage in Somatic Structural Integration Saturday night, and then exercise Sunday morning.
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What Are Endorphins? By Lindsey KonkelMedically Reviewed by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD
Endorphins might play a role in addiction, though the evidence is sketchy.
Endorphins are morphine-like chemicals produced by the body that help diminish pain while triggering positive feelings.
They're sometimes referred to as the brain's "feel-good" chemicals, and are the body's natural painkillers.
Endorphin is a combination of the words "endogenou" (produced within the body) and "morphine"
They're released from the pituitary gland of the brain during periods of strenuous exercise, emotional stress, pain, and orgasm.
Endorphins help relieve pain and induce feelings of pleasure or euphoria. They play an important role in the brain's reward system, which includes activities such as eating, drinking, sex, and maternal behavior.
People with chronic pain conditions, including fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, have lower-than-normal levels of endorphins, researchers have found.
Narcotic pain medications including morphine, oxycodone, and codeine work by mimicking natural endorphins.
Endorphins and Exercise
The body produces endorphins in response to intense physical exercise.
Endorphins may play a role in the so-called "runner's high," which describes the feelings of euphoria long distance runners experience after prolonged bouts of exercise.
Endorphin release varies from person to person, which means that the same amount of exercise do not produce the same amount of endorphins for everyone.
Research suggests that exercise helps to improve mood and may even aid in the treatment of depression.
However, it's unclear whether endorphins or some other process in the brain or body is responsible for the mood-boosting effects of exercise.
Endorphins and Addiction
Because endorphins play a role in the brain's reward system, some scientists and doctors have suggested that the “feel-good” chemicals may play a role in exercise addiction or drug dependence.
Exercise addiction may occur in people who exercise excessively.
It's characterized by symptoms of withdrawal, such as feeling depressed, anxious, restless, or guilty after not exercising.
Few scientific studies have evaluated the link between increased endorphin levels, vigorous exercise, and dependence or addiction.
Exercise, and the release of endorphins, is a great method to fight against depression.
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Exercise and Depression
Want to learn more about exercise and depression? Many studies show that people who exercise regularly benefit with a positive boost in mood and lower rates of depression.
What Are the Psychological Benefits of Exercise With Depression?
Improved self-esteem is a key psychological benefit of regular physical activity. When you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins. These endorphins interact with the receptors in your brain that reduce your perception of pain.
Endorphins also trigger a positive feeling in the body, similar to that of morphine. For example, the feeling that follows a run or workout is often described as "euphoric." That feeling, known as a "runner's high," can be accompanied by a positive and energizing outlook on life.
Endorphins act as analgesics, which means they diminish the perception of pain. They also act as sedatives. They are manufactured in your brain, spinal cord, and many other parts of your body and are released in response to brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. The neuron receptors endorphins bind to are the same ones that bind some pain medicines. However, unlike with morphine, the activation of these receptors by the body's endorphins does not lead to addiction or dependence.
Regular exercise has been proven to:
- Reduce stress - Ward off anxiety and feelings of depression - Boost self-esteem - Improve sleep
Exercise also has these added health benefits:
- It strengthens your heart. - It increases energy levels. - It lowers blood pressure. - It improves muscle tone and strength. - It strengthens and builds bones. - It helps reduce body fat. - It makes you look fit and healthy.
Is Exercise a Treatment for Clinical Depression?
Research has shown that exercise is an effective but often underused treatment for mild to moderate depression.
Are there Types of Exercises That Are Better for Depression?
It appears that any form of exercise can help depression. Some examples of moderate exercise include:
- Biking - Dancing - Gardening - Golf (walking instead of using the cart) - Housework, especially sweeping, mopping, or vacuuming - Jogging at a moderate pace - Low-impact aerobics - Playing tennis - Swimming - Walking - Yard work, especially mowing or raking - Yoga