Exercise is considered by some people to have euphoric qualities, and those people aren't simply addicted to the exercise itself--they are experiencing a release of chemicals in the brain that subdues pain while enhancing joy and happiness. According to researchers at Bryn Mawr College, these chemicals can be released within 30 minutes of the start of physical activity and can have a significant impact in both the joy of exercise and your mood outside of it. In fact, according to the Better Health Channel, exercise is an effective way to combat depression. The key to this process is in your mind's chemicals.
Endorphins
Endorphins are released within 30 minutes of the start of physical activity in order to bind to opioid receptors in your brain's neurons, according to Bryan Mawr College. This blocks the release of some neurotransmitters, which inhibits your nervous system's ability to transmit pain impulses from your body to the brain. This helps reduce your discomfort and pain when exercising. But endorphins don't do this on their own--they work in conjunction with the pleasure-inducing neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.
Serotonin
Serotonin levels in your brain tend to increase when you exercise, according to the Better Health Channel. Additionally, individuals who exercise frequently tend to have more serotonin present in their brains. Serotonin is a pleasure neurotransmitter that affects numerous functions, including your sleeping and awake cycles, appetite, mood and libido. It is also the chemical whose presence has a direct link to depression--higher levels of serotonin usually result in less frequent or extreme depression.
Dopamine
Dopamine is a chemical that helps regulate fine-motor function, according to the Franklin Institute. This plays a role in developing your coordination and muscle memory. It also helps your brain learn about how it is rewarded by stimulus, according to PsychologyToday.com. When exercise causes an elevation in serotonin levels, dopamine helps your brain associate exercise with that elevated happiness achieved through exercise.
