Skip to content

Why do you get a 'runner's high'?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Brain releases endorphins

Leg muscles send pleasure signals — Wrong. Muscles don't generate pleasure signals—they can only signal fatigue and pain. The euphoric feeling comes from the brain releasing endorphins.

Muscles produce adrenaline — Wrong. Adrenaline comes from adrenal glands, not muscles. While it does increase during exercise, endorphins create the 'high.'

Brain releases endorphins ✓ — Correct! Prolonged exercise triggers your brain to release endorphins—natural painkillers that create euphoria. This helped our ancestors run long distances while hunting. It's nature's reward system!

Go deeper: Endorphins · Euphoria
Play today's quiz — new questions daily

More Sports & Exercise questions