Your Body Keeps Producing Cannabis-Like Chemicals Throughout a Marathon
Wait, your body can do that?
When runners complete a marathon, their bodies initiate a remarkable biochemical process that mirrors certain effects of cannabis, according to new research. Scientists have discovered that endocannabinoids—natural chemical messengers produced by the body—steadily accumulate during long-distance running. These molecules help regulate pain perception, stress response, mood, and recovery, offering the body a chemical safety net during extreme physical exertion.
A study published in BMC Medicine tracked endocannabinoid levels in marathon and ultramarathon runners. Researchers found that anandamide, named after the Sanskrit word for bliss, increased significantly after approximately 14 kilometers and remained elevated for 45 minutes post-race. A second endocannabinoid, 2-AG, peaked near the race’s end and stayed high during recovery. The psychological effects mirrored these chemical changes: runners reported greater happiness and reduced anxiety compared to walking the same distance, though pain increased substantially after 28 kilometers.
Despite their “cannabis-like” properties, endocannabinoids are entirely natural compounds that bind to receptors throughout the brain and body. Researchers believe they may explain the famous “runner’s high”—that euphoric sensation some athletes experience during extended exercise. However, the relationship remains complex; elevated endocannabinoid levels alone do not guarantee happiness, particularly in ultramarathon settings where extreme fatigue and pain may overshadow any mood benefits.
The findings represent an important shift in understanding exercise physiology, moving beyond the previously accepted explanation involving endorphins.
Originally reported by Sciencealert →
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