The endocannabinoid system (ECS) can be activated by cannabinoids, chocolates, some terpenes, and physical activities like long-form exercises. They trigger the ECS and its receptors to promote internal balance (homeostasis), synaptic transmission, mood, reward, anxiety, appetite, memory processing, neuroprotection, and neuroinflammation.  The activation and interaction of the ECS with the CB1 and CB2 receptors have been linked to several therapeutic benefits, including serving as a possible drug target for several diseases. It was also discovered to increase the pleasure of running and engaging in physical activities.

How Physical Exercise can Affect the Endocannabinoid System

Physical exercise is considered a valuable non-pharmacological therapy with many health benefits at little to no cost. It can activate endocannabinoids and the ECS. Endocannabinoids are triggered during exercise as a response to high-intensity activities and tend to act as short-term circuit breakers that block the detection of a painful or injurious stimulus by sensory neurons (antinociceptive response) for a short and variable period.

An exercise-triggered activation of the ECS is known as “the runner’s high.” Oftentimes, people who engage in long-form athletic activities like marathons have attested to experiencing a feeling of euphoria after running for a while. This is believed to make the sport enjoyable while reducing the possibility of pain and inflammation.

Recall that the ECS plays a critical role in pain relief and offers some anti-inflammatory functions by modulating the immune system.

While science is yet to understand why long-form exercises may trigger the ECS, it is likely linked to pain control, promoting endurance and internal balance as the athlete exerts pressure on the muscles. Furthermore, scientists believe the ECS plays a critical role in energy metabolism.

Research also shows that exercise modulates the expression of receptors and enzymes involved in the synthesis and breakdown of endocannabinoids, which may interfere with exercise’s inflammatory effect.

The runner’s high is a temporary feeling some humans experience during and after endurance exercise. Not all humans can experience a runner’s high, mainly because our ECS is wired differently, and our endocannabinoid threshold differs. 

What Does this Mean for Athletes?

A runner’s high is characterized by reduced pain sensitivity, sedation, euphoria, and reduced anxiety. Some have also emphasized a lost sense of time and feelings of effortlessness.

By triggering the ECS, runner’s high tends to make athletic activities enjoyable and give the athletes longing for more. Although this may lead to running addiction, experiencing a runner’s high can be the source of analgesia, reduced depression, increased endurance thresholds, anxiolytic properties, and sedation.

Since physical exercise is recognized as an important component of a healthy lifestyle, it can positively impact the body because it helps maintain the health of bones, muscles, and joints.

Looking Forward

Unlocking the mechanism of runner’s high may serve an important purpose in treatment triggering the ECS with or without cannabinoids. It will also give an insight into the role of cannabinoids in diseases like obesity and metabolic disorders. For instance, anandamide was found to improve muscle glucose uptake and activate some key molecules of insulin signalling and mitochondrial biogenesis.

The role of anandamide is worth considering since increased plasma concentration of anandamide is always reported after intense exercise. 

Runners who experience runner’s high can maximize the experience for improved pain relief, reduced anxiety and depression, increased metabolic rate, and reduced inflammation while engaging in physical activities. This will also keep the athletes as fit as possible with little to no dependence on prescription medications.

---

Freelance Cannabis Writer and Content Strategist | I add fun to the complexities of cannabis science | Speaker at the 2022 Emerald Conference | Sports Cannabis Contributor Writer

• LinkedIn
• Mail