Sometimes the next day after a workout I get a massive endorphine rush and feel kind of high and in a really happy mood, I take it this is from the release of endorphines.
But sometimes the next day after a workout I feel tired and drained and my mood seems very low.
My question is what type of workout causes the maximum realease of endorphines (I think thats what their called anyway) or the feel good hormones in your body?
I am not going to give you any type of anwer which will be backed with specifici eveidence like others might be able to, but for myself and I am sure a lot of others, it is a kick ass work out which will release the most endorphins.
You can also get a good endorphine rush by eating really spicy foods. Just beware of the side effects.
Spicy food causes a release of endorphins??? that’s interesting, i’ve never heard of that. perhaps that’s why some folks (myself included) seem addicted to hot things. i love the burn, it’s exciting almost. of course, gotta make sure your digestive tract is in order, or else you WILL suffer later. heheh
as for the original post, i don’t know. i’ve never noticed an endorphin rush the NEXT day after a workout…
Endorphines are the body’s natural pain killers (according to the “experts”). I’ve never had a rush the day after a workout but have experienced them a few hours after a workout.
As for the spicy foods, if your digestive tract is in good order, it is a big release. You will also find that you gat a tolerence to the heat and have to make fiids hotter and hotter. I’ve been cooking with chile peppers and hot sauces for 20 years now and, I’m always looking for new ways to kick up the heat. Seminole Chick is right. It does become an addiction.
Oh, by the way, I was just flipping through the other forums and I have to say, great legs Seminole Chick. Keep up the good work.
Jay, you’re probably talking about two interrelated things; endorphins and brain chemistry.
As it relates to endorphins, vigorous exercise, even for short periods, causes blood endorphin levels to rise far above normal levels for several hours, up to 24 hours. But attempts to relate mood to blood levels of endorphins have not been successful.
How does exercise improve mood? Two theories are the “mastery” hypothesis and the “distraction” hypothesis. In the “mastery” hypothesis the idea is that exercise enhances mood by giving you a sense of achievement. The “distraction” hypothesis suggests that exercise takes you mind off daily stresses.
That leaves brain chemistry, which is strongly affected by our ability to process/metabolize protein. Protein is broken down into amino acids. Amino acids are precursors to neurotransmitters. And neurotransmitters are responsible for our mood and feelings of well being, anxiety, etc.
So barring life’s “bumps in the road,” I think mood has a lot to do with being physically active (be it running or weights) and good brain chemistry.
If you weren’t given the gift of good brain chemistry, two of my favorite supplements for improving mood are 5-HTP and SAMe.
Great question, Jay!!!
can you explain a little bit more about those two supplements? what do you use them for? just being “happy” or what? thanks!
SAMe (S-adenosyl-methionine) is an amino acid derivative normally synthesized in the body. It is widely used in Europe as an antidepressant. SAMe tends to be well distributed in the body in young, healthy people. However, due to sickness and age, system levels may become depleted.
5-HTP, influences serotonin pathways and is effective in reducing carb cravings (great when you’re on a diet), as well as mood. Actually, 5-HTP is my first choice. If it’s going to work, it works quickly; 2 or 3 days, and it’s a bit cheaper than SAMe.
There are many physiological/biochemical reasons that a person’s mood is not what they want it to be. What works for one person, won’t work for the next. A lot of time it’s just a case of trial and error.
I’m going to add in- put your face in the sun everyday for a few minutes. I went through a long period of depression a few years ago before I began to take my health to the next level. I still would have occasional yet short periods of depression until I decided to do some tanning this last early spring for the HR contest. I don’t suggest risking cancer by spending excessive amounts of time in the sun but getting your face and a few other areas in the sun for maybe 10 minutes max everyday seems to do wonders for some people. I have even heard of elderly people having sun lamps indoors for winter months and it has a great effect on thier mood. If I have DOMS I also tend to have a confident and placid (semi euphoric feeling) the next day if I’m eating well and getting some sun. If I’m calorie restricted and its cold outside I get kinda crabby and tired. I agree with Terry though everyone is a litle different as the bodys chemistry is extremely variable for everyone.