Today, NPR's Health Blog, Shots, posted a story about Runner's High. It confirmed several things that most people know - that long-distance running can produce a narcotic-like substance in people that makes us feel good. The story goes into the evolutionary possibilities of why we get Runner's High ("maybe it's an evolutionary payoff for doing something hard and painful...") and how addictive it can be.
The really interesting part to me as a dog owner was that the scientist featured in the story found that dogs also produce euphoric chemicals, essentially, they experience Runner's High, too! If you ever needed another excuse to take Fido out for a walk or run, here it is - he's addicted. Feed the addiction.
For the full story and access to the full study go to NPR's blog.
