Runner's High: I Have Never Gotten It from Exercise, Is This Normal?

Running, or other consistent and intense exercise, for 30 minutes or more does cause changes in the brain. (Read the book "Spark" for more details). The effects aren't going to be exactly the same for everyone but exercise has been shown to be as effective as most commonly used anti-anxiety drugs, to reduce depression, and to increase students' ability to learn.

I exercise frequently, either running or karate, and I do it because it makes me feel good, improves my ability to focus, helps me fit into my clothes, and yes, I sometimes feel a real "high" when I have been exercising intensely.

I played competitive soccer most of my life. I NEVER got a "high" from it.I really only ever played soccer, because I was expected to. Never because I loved it. I still don't get a high from exercising. I hate it, actually. I always have. It's something I dread, but I do it anyway.

Ha. If everyone got a runner's high, there would be a lot more people running!

Back when I was running: I NEVER get a runner's high UNTIL I hit the 4 mile mark.

Period.

The first 3.99 miles are MISERABLE. Painful, hard, yucky, miserable. But after 4 miles... I could run forever. (But if I stopped and walked, or slowed down at all any time in that 4 miles, the "clock" started over... but I could set my map by my 4mi 2nd wind.) There's no feeling except for "good". It's like you're floating. There is absolutely NO effort involved, no pain, you feel like you could go forever. ((Which is also why some people die running... that feeling lasts right up until there is no more potassium or free calcium, and the whole seizure and death thing that happens with long distance runners)).

Most people get the endorphin rush a LOT sooner... but some don't get it until even later. Even in the soon crowd... whether it's 1 minute, 5 minutes, half a mile, 2 miles... it's different for everyone.

Also... not everyone gets endorphin rushes from spicy food. Some do. Some don't. Here's a hint: Most people who don't like spicy food don't GET the endorphin rush... but neither do some people who like it.

That's great your husband has found a "thing" that he likes. But it doesn't mean that everyone's body is just like his.

One thing I've NOTICED (but haven't studied or looked up)... those with high pain tolerance tend to get their "2nd wind" or "runner's high" MUCH later than those with low pain tolerances. Anecdotally... the idea is that the more pain you can tolerate, the less your brain goes into 'emergency' mode to flood your system with painkillers.

It ALL about the 4th ventricle in the brain, and how it happens to function in your own particular neurochem and physiology.

Throughout life, I have done a lot of sports both personally and competitively. And of varied intensities.
The ONLY thing, that gave me a runner's "high" was when I was doing, LONG distance running and competitively.

It is NOT a one sized shoe fits all. Per your Husband's experience.
Everyone, is simply different. And their physiology. And he is a man and you are a woman. That alone, is a different physiology and endocrine system, than his.

WHY by the way, must someone have a "runner's high" in order to exercise?
Some people/many people do not even get a "runner's high" with typical exercise.

As you said, exercise should be done because you want to and not everyone will have the same reasons for doing it... as your Husband. Your Husband does it for the "high." You don't.
So what.

I would be more concerned about your Husband. Since he seems to only exercise to get the "runner's high" and eating things to create that effect, on purpose.

I don't think if this classifies as a 'runner's high' but everytime I get sidelined due to illness or injury I WANT to run like it's nobody's business. Or when I was running daily I would be really crabby before I got my run in because I felt like everyone or everything was standing in my way up until that point. As for feeling eupohoria before, during, or after...nah.

My husband runs (usually in the neighborhood of 3 or 4 miles, but every once in a while he'll do 6). He has said he gets a "runner's high", but he does NOT mean "high" like taking drugs kind of high. He means feeling really energized and just generally feeling good afterwards, and that last bit of running being easier than you would expect. He often will say/complain midweek (when he has a quick turnaround and no time during daylight hours to go running and is feeling sluggish) that he "needs" to go running... it makes him feel more energized, instead of it wearing him out, it gives him energy to do more after he gets back from running. But not some sort of drug induced "high".

I never had a runners high until the END of my first half marathon. I think it takes A LOT more than average exercise for some of us to hit it. I think you sound completely normal.

I don't get "runner's high" either. I never heard the thing about spicy food. I do get a rush from coffee though. :) I don't know if this is or isn't normal.

When I was younger I was a dancer...three hours a day at the floor and drilling etc. after school. I've done long distance running, gymnastics, soccer, and volleyball too. All required a pretty intense and physical workout. Currently,I'm in Martial Arts and we workout pretty hard there too. No runner's high though.

I don't get the "runner's high" because I don't run, but I do alot of other cardio, TRX, weights and all I know is if I have to go more than a couple of days without exercising I get naaaassssty.

never, not once. And I used to run. I've done aerobics. Now I swim and walk. Wish it happened to me!

Never have gotten a "high," but will tell you from experience, don't eat spicy food before running, you'll just get a gut burn. The spices will feel like they are burning a hole in your stomach.

I grew up in New Mexico and often ate spicy chile. There were times my mom would make enchiladas for dinner and I would have a softball/basketball game afterward. The spice would first feel warm in my tummy, then start burning.

I have had my ears ring and felt a little light-headed after eating too spicy of chile. I wouldn't call this a high, cuz it wasn't that enjoyable.

I have heard of the 'high' some people get from running and or exercise and only wish I got it...then I would be more apt to do it! Ha!!!

I do get it (it's as someone else described it a very energized feeling, kinda feeling like you can do anything you set your mind to), but not during regular excercise (you know your run of the mill 30 minutes casual run). I do get it when I run long enough or fast enough to push myself to my limits.

I also had it after giving birth...
The endorphins that cause the runner's high are typically only released if you are going above what your body is used to... as you gain more endurance you will have to run/exercise faster or longer to reach that threshold. This is how people get addicted to exercise and they keep pushing the limits to get the "high".
I don't chase the runner's high, but when I get it, it's nice...

I usually get that feeling towards the end of my runs. Ifind if I'm SUPER focused and often NOT paying attention to what's on the tv or even have my Ipod on I do BETTER. I have learned to love running and found that I'm more endurance rather than speed BUT I have increased my speed to almost a mile faster in the last 4-6 weeks.

With me I'm not happy until I get my work-out in. Once I sweat for an hour I'm a MUCH happier camper the rest of the day.

The only time I ever experienced the 'runner's high' was during HS sports and I was competing in a race. In retrospect, I guess that could also be nerves.

My manic sister gets her runners high every time...but she pushes herself to the limits with every run. She usually has to do sprints to get it.

In all my life of enjoying exercise, from swimming, walking, to yoga, and hiking, and years of running (ugh) and aerobics and step classes and dancing....I have only gotten a high from dancing and sex.

I think the high only comes from really pushing yourself. Most joggers I know, don't do that...they just run or jog, they're not trying to beat a school record.

Never . . . before my last pregnancy, now 8 weeks post pardom - I was running 4 miles and never once did I get a runner's high. I suspect I'm just not running far enough, but I didn't have the time or want to run anymore than 4 miles . . . I'm now back on the treadmill, up to a mile - haha.

Uh no.. I don't get that 'high' either when working out. I was always very active, never got it then either. Kind of like... well, not every women experiences the big o either... know what I mean? It's largely a theory still... it mostly helps when a marathoner sees the finish line and gets that rush of adrenaline.. or like for me when I was giving birth and was so tired, but then they said, 'there's the head, one more push!" and I got that energy to give one last push. It is purely circumstantial.

Have your husband read this article from the NY Times on the scientific study of the 'runner's high':
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/27/health/nutrition/27best...

I don't think I have, wish I did. Sometimes I get in more of a "groove" and what was hard in the first 10 minutes seems easier in the last 10 minutes. But that's it. I do like the feeling of exercising regulalry, and having more energy, looking forward to the gym. But runner's high? No.