Running is popularly believed to increase dopamine production in the brain. And while that's true, the impact of that action in a runner's brain is more complicated than merely making you feel good. That's because dopamine is more than just a "feel good" substance. According to "Psychology Today," dopamine is released in the brain "when something good happens," and teaches people and animals to react positively to rewards and negatively to punishment. It also affects the extent to which people seek thrills and become addicted to drugs.
What Is Dopamine?
According to Phil Newton, in "Psychology Today," dopamine is a neurotransmitter. That means it sends signals between nerve cells. Mike T. Nelson, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Minnesota, says that "Dopamine does tons of stuff in the brain. Everything from motor activity, motivation/reward, sleep, mood, learning" and more. Nelson also points out that dopamine release is closely associated with delivering feelings of pleasure.
Exercise
To find out whether exercise increases dopamine production, scientists put rats on treadmills for five days per week for eight weeks. The authors of the study, which was published "Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior," say the results "suggest that chronic running elevates dopamine secretion." Another study suggested that running and other exercise causes such a flood of dopamine that going for a run on a regular basis may help meth amphetamine addicts manage the depressive effects of quitting meth as they recover form their addiction.
Parkinson's Disease
To validate the theory that running and exercise increase dopamine levels, scientists at the University of Southern California looked at the impact of exercise on test subjects with Parkinson's disease. The test is revealing because Parkinson's disease is caused by a lack of dopamine in the brain. The study shows that exercise helped patients with Parkinson's, which the researchers attributed to increased dopamine levels and more efficient dopamine uptake by structures in the brain.
More Dopamine, More Running
Research suggests while running helps increase dopamine production, increased dopamine production may help you run more because it fights feelings of fatigue. Dopamine has an effect on how the brain controls movement. For example, Parkinson's patients with low dopamine levels suffer from tremors. People who have high dopamine levels, namely runners, may also have increased "exercise capacity," according to a study performed by researchers at University of Colorado, Boulder.
References
- "Psychology Today"; What Is Dopamine?; Philip Newton; April 2009
- Xtreme Human Performance; Dopamine, Mood, Movement and Exercise; Mike T. Nelson; October 2008
- "Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior"; Operantly Conditioned Running: Effects on Brain Catecholamine Concentrations and Receptor Densities in the Rat; J.M. de Castro, et al.; October 1985
- "Current Neuropharmacology"; May Exercise Prevent Addiction?; C.A. Fontes-Ribeiro, et al.; March 2011
- "ScienceDaily"; Exercise May Aid Parkinson’s Patients; May 2007
- "Neuromolecular Medicine"; Neuroplasticity of Dopamine Circuits after Exercise: Implications for Central Fatigue; T.E. Foley, et al.; February 2008
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