Why exercise feels so rewarding.
The so-called ‘runner’s high’ is down to more than just endorphins, a new study finds.
A neurotransmitter called dopamine — which is involved in motivation — is also responsible for the feeling of well-being.
Professor Stephanie Fulton, the study’s lead author, said:
“We discovered that the rewarding effects of endurance activity are modulated by leptin, a key hormone in metabolism.
Leptin inhibits physical activity through dopamine neurons in the brain.”
It’s fascinating that leptin — known as the satiety hormone — is involved in both exercise and food.
The theory is that in the past humans had to run to increase their chance of getting food — hence the connection.
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