Phenylethylamine
New Chemical May Explain "Runner's High"
There is growing evidence that regular exercise boosts people's moods and may even fight clinical depression.
Researchers found that a session of moderate aerobic activity appears to elevate the body's levels of phenylethylamine, a natural chemical linked to energy, mood and attention. When they had 20 healthy young men run on a treadmill for 30 minutes, the average concentration of phenylethylamine in the participants' urine increased 77%.
Because the chemical is similar in some ways to amphetamines, the researchers speculate that phenylethylamine may play a role in the "runner's high."
In addition, the report indicates, research in patients with
depression and bipolar disorder has shown they have
lower-than-normal levels of the chemical in their urine.
British Journal of Sports Medicine 2001;35342-343
From Mike:
I suspect that this chemical is related to endorphins, driven by the parasympathetic
nervous system and therefore is directly dependant upon the way we
breathe. There is probably also a need for adequate foods containing
phenylethylamine (not to be confused with phenylalinine) so that we
get it synergized and balanced with other natural live substances.
Over a period of time amines, which includes phenylethylamine, can
build up in your system causing reactions that mimic
allergies. That is why we take antihistamines
when we get many allergic reactions. Hence the suggestion
to get them as naturally, in foods, as possible.
Foods containing amines are
Very low
Fruit
Apple, apricot, blueberry, gooseberry, lime, peach, pear, rhubarb, strawberry.Vegetables Asparagus, cabbage, carrot, celery, corn, cucumber, green beans, green pea, lettuce, lima beans, onion, peppers, potato, radish, soya bean, turnip.
Nuts Chestnut, horse chestnut, sunflower, pine nut, pistachio.
Sweets and sweeteners Carob, maple syrup.
Beverages Goat milk, lemonade, soya milk, decaffeinated coffee.
Misc Tofu, tofu ice cream.
Low
Fruit
Black currant, cherry, grapefruit, honeydew melon, mandarin, red currant.Nuts Almond, cashew, coconut, macadamia.
Moderate
Fruit
Dates, kiwi fruit, orange, passion fruit, pap paw, tangerine.Vegetables olives
Nuts Brazil, hazelnut.
Meat, fish, and poultry. Meat, fish and poultry older than two days.
Any frozen meat.
Chicken liver and skin, salmon (tinned), tuna (fresh).
Beverages Coffee, coffee substitutes, tea, decaffeinated tea
Condiments Malt vinegar
High
Meat, fish, and poultry.
Bacon, hot dogs, frozen fish, gravy, ham, mackerel (tinned), meat juices, meat loaf, offal, pork, sardines (tinned).Dairy Mild cheeses
Condiments Meat extracts, soy sauce, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce.
Sweets and sweeteners Cocoa, milk chocolate, white chocolate.
Very high
Vegetables
Sauerkraut, spinach.Nuts Butternut
Meat and fish and poultry Any form of dried, pickled, salted, or smoked fish and meat.
Anchovies, beef liver, fish roe, pies and pasties, processed fish products (such as fish fingers, cakes, paste), salami, sausages, tuna (tinned).
Dairy Virtually all cheeses including brie, camembert, cheddar, cheshire, Danish blue, edam, emmental, gloucester, gouda, gruyere, jarlsberg, leicester, mozarella, parmesan, processed cheese, provolone, roquefort, stilton, Swiss, wensleydale.
Sweets Dark chocolate
Condiments Hydrolysed protein, miso, tempeh, yeast extracts.
Beverages Chocolate flavored drinks, cocoa, cola type drinks, orange juice.
RUNNERS HIGH
When taken orally, PEA
is known to readily cross the blood-brain barrier and be
immediately available in the brain. In the brain PEA acts by increasing
the concentration of dopamine in the synaptic cleft. Naturally enhancing
dopamine transmission in the brain has been associated with greater
experience of pleasure.
Our approach to
developing breathing while enhancing runners high
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