Scientific studies show a correlation between cycling and how it contributes to our mental health, too. It only takes about 30 minutes on a bike per day. I know I feel better when I get out and ride. But why? What exactly happens to our brains as we pedal? Let’s find out. Improve your mood
Next time you’re feeling ornery, grab a bike and get pedalling. It doesn’t have to be outdoors. Jumping on an indoor trainer is also effective. No matter where or how you ride, the vital thing is to get the heart pumping and the blood flowing.
Our bodies naturally contain levels of a fatty acid neurotransmitter called anandamide that carries nerve impulses between nerves or to a muscle or gland as part of our endocannabinoid system. You may have caught the word “cannabinoid” in the last sentence. Does that sound like something else you might have heard of?
Everyone is born with cannabinoid receptors. Yep, the same ones that react to tetrahydrocannabinol, aka THC, found in cannabis-based compounds such as marijuana. Anandamide in our blood attaches to these same receptors. Cycling increases the amount of anandamide in our system, creating a physiological response.
The non-cycling public may call this response a “runner’s high”. But in our case, it’s a “cycling high”; a physical euphoria that improves our mood, makes us feel good, and boosts our mental health. Small amounts of anandamide are also found in chocolate, which explains why we crave it. Even a nibble is satisfying. […]
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