FitSugar

Runner's High Is as Addictive as Opiates

FitSugar — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 03:00:17 -0700

If you're a runner, you're probably familiar with runner's high. You know - that energetic, overwhelmingly awesome feeling you experience after a workout that makes you feel like the happiest person alive. The feel-good sensations come when endorphins are released from your brain, and new research shows that a runner's high mimics the same sense of euphoria as drug use. So scientists at Tufts University set out to test whether the feeling a runner gets could be considered an addiction.

Instead of testing actual runners, the scientists tested rats. The 84 rodents were divided into two types of cages, ones with wheels and ones without. Over a week, the rats that had access to the wheel naturally increased how much they ran. On day nine, about half the group was only given access to food for one hour per day, while the others continued to have food all the time. The food-restricted rats began exercising even more, and also started to lose weight. All the rats were then given the drug Naloxone, a chemical compound that is often used to help drug abusers recover from addiction and immediately causes withdrawal symptoms. The biggest "gym rats" showed the greatest degree of withdrawal symptoms, while rats that couldn't exercise displayed fewer withdrawal symptoms.

The scientists concluded that the release of chemicals during exercise mimics the sensations morphine and heroin users feel. If a runner's high is similar to a high brought on by drugs, the researchers propose that exercise could be used as a replacement "drug" to help drug addicts recover. What do you think?

Is There Such a Thing as a Running Addiction?

FitSugar — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:00:00 -0700

Recently in an interview with Runner's World, hip-hop artist Eminem talked about running and admitted that:

"You kind of go from one addiction to the next. And I'm an addict. It was a little too much; it was a little extreme. It was a total of 17 miles [a day]." Running close to 20 miles is great if you're training for a marathon, but not something your body can handle every day.

Many people say they're "addicted to running," but usually this is a positive addiction, meaning it offers only benefits, such as stress relief and weight loss. There is such a thing as a negative addiction when it comes to running though, and it falls under the category of exercise addiction. You see there's a big difference between running complementing your life and running being your life.

To learn what the signs of a running addiction are read more.

If you're obsessed with running, and are compulsive about getting in a run regardless of other commitments, the weather, or injuries, then you could be considered an addict. You may also have an exercise addiction if you feel guilty when you don't run, or if you work out for a duration, intensity, and frequency that's beyond what's considered normal. Some addicts talk about nothing but running, and even skip out on work just to exercise.

There's nothing wrong with loving and needing to run, both for your physical and emotional well-being, but when running begins to have negative effects on your spirit and your body, then it's time to get some help. Talk to your doctor, a personal trainer, a therapist, or a fellow runner, if these signs sound familiar.

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Paula Abdul's Addiction to Pain Meds

FitSugar — Wed, 06 May 2009 05:55:00 -0700

Addiction is powerful, and when dealing with extreme amounts of pain, it can affect anyone. In a recent issue of Ladies' Home Journal, Paula Abdul, who's turning 47 this month, opened up about her addiction to pain meds. For the first time in 12 years she's no longer dependent on drugs. Last Thanksgiving, determined to overcome her grueling habit, Paula checked herself into La Costa Resort and Spa, in Carlsbad, CA. She explains the withdrawal process from heavy pain medication like this:

"I could have killed myself . . . Withdrawal - it's the worst thing. I was freezing cold, then sweating hot, then chattering and in so much pain, it was excruciating. But at my very core, I did not like existing the way I had been."

To find out how her addiction evolved, read more.

While cheerleading at age 17, Paula suffered the first of a series of accidents that would lead to debilitating pain. She refused surgery at the time, since doctors told her there was only a 50/50 chance the operation would correct her back. On the road to fame, she broke her leg in 1991 while rehearsing a dance routine. This was followed a year later by a car accident. In 1993, an airplane crash left her partially paralyzed, requiring 15 spinal surgeries. All the while her career kept growing, and as a veteran performer, her attitude was "the show must go on." So she turned to addictive painkillers and not-so-addictive Chinese medicine for relief.

In 2005, Paula was diagnosed with reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome, a condition that results in chronic pain. To deal with her agonizing discomfort, Paula began wearing a pharmaceutical patch that delivered a pain medication nearly 80 times more potent than morphine, and she took a nerve medication to relieve her symptoms. Sometimes she combined all this with muscle relaxers. These meds didn't relieve her pain entirely, which often led to sleepless nights, causing her to "get weird" during the day and sparking rumors that she was high during the filming of American Idol.

Thanks to her 15th spinal surgery, the pain is almost gone. Paula does yoga to clear her mind and take care of her body, and now that she's off pain medication for good, she's ready to make a fresh start.

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Another Reason to Exercise: It May Ward Off Addiction

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 03:00:00 -0700

I love it when a new report comes out that pinpoints yet another reason we should all exercise. As if being mortified to put on a bikini this Summer wasn't enough, now CNN is reporting on new research that says exercise may also help prevent addiction to drugs or alcohol. Here's why:

Brown University took smokers to the gym three times a week and found adding the exercise to a smoking-cessation program doubled women's chances of successfully kicking the habit. The quitters who worked out got an extra benefit: They gained half as much weight as women who managed to quit without exercising, says lead researcher Dr. Bess Marcus.

What's more? In people, exercise acts as an antidepressant and can relieve stress, which has been linked to an increased risk of alcoholism, smoking or drug abuse. All that and it's good for your health! So hit the gym today and you'll be less likely to hit the bottle tomorrow.

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Curb Smoking Cravings in Just Five Minutes...

FitSugar — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Still having problems kicking that nasty little smoking habit?

Well, recent research published in the Addiction journal has found that even just five minutes of moderate exercise, such as walking, significantly reduces the intensity of smokers' nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

While this may seem rather impractical at times, maybe you want to consider it for your smoking breaks at work. So next time you feel the need to take a smoking break, maybe go for a short walk or do exercises at your desk. Not only will you be curbing your cravings to smoke, you'll be burning calories too!

Caffeine and Teens: A Growing Habit

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 15:45:00 -0700

When I was a little kid and reached for my mom's cup of joe, she told me that coffee would stunt my growth. That false myth no longer holds sway with the youth of today, and the coffee habit it in young teens is soaring. While coffee might not stunt growth, it is habit forming and these kids are not drinking their java straight up. Nope they often drink coffee in its most sugary forms like caramel lattes and frappuccinos.

A major concern is that teenagers are substituting coffee for much needed nutritious meals for their still growing bodies. Replacing breakfast with a cup of coffee is not only a bad idea, it is a bad diet idea that many teenage girls are using. Remember you need breakfast to fire up your metabolism.

Caffeine, by itself, is not particularly harmful, and may even have some health benefits. It can, however, increase anxiety something most teenagers can produce enough of on their own.

I started drinking coffee when I was about 16 - something about being able to drive made drinking coffee seem appropriate to me. How about you? When did you start drinking joe regularly? Let me know in the comments below.

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yogaHOPE

FitSugar — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 16:30:00 -0800

yogaHOPE, is a non-profit yoga outreach program dedicated to offering yoga instruction to women in recovery or life transition – the incarcerated, those in drug and alcohol treatment, those living on the streets, battered women, and women transitioning from hospital treatment for eating disorders.

The practice of yoga has been shown to produce positive motivational change by helping women regain their vital center of energy, satisfaction, and stability.

Yoga can help reduce low self-esteem and poor body image, and greatly improves a woman's sense of personal empowerment - yet female populations who could benefit from this practice don’t have access to it.

Their team of volunteer teachers believes very strongly in the practice of yoga and the importance of making yoga available to those women, therefore they bring yoga classes to the facilities where these women live or visit: Their residential rehab facilities, homeless shelters, prisons etc...

If you're interested, you can volunteer as a teacher or in other ways as well.

Through yogaHope, these women will have the opportunity to make powerful and positive changes in their lives. Want to see their inspirational video? Then read more

Get Addicted to Exercising

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 08:45:00 -0700

Once you start loving something, it's hard to go without it. You can become addicted to almost anything, so how about getting addicted to working out? Sounds odd, I know. Maybe 'addicted' is a bit too strong of a word to use, but you may be able to get to the point where you actually like exercising. These tips from eDiets.com give insight on how to make exercising part of your life (not something that takes away from what you already do):

Timing is everything. Work out at a time that fits your schedule. If you plan to hit the gym after work, but often stay late at the office or have social engagements, it's going to be hard to make your workout a regular part of your week. For most people, mornings are the most realistic time. If you can get up an hour earlier for one week, you might find that exercise wakes you up and energizes you for the rest of the day.
Seek convenience. Pick a gym that's close to the office, so swinging by in the morning or on the way home is super easy. Before you know it, your car will practically be steering itself there.

Addicted yet? If not, there are five more tips so read more

Make it a "given." If you do workout in the evenings, make sure your friends and family know that other engagements will have to wait until after your exercise time. The more you and everyone else in your life becomes accustomed to scheduling around your workout, the less likely you'll be to blow it off for other activities.
Think ahead. Half the battle is being organized. It doesn't take much. While you're packing your lunch or laying out your clothes for work the next day, be sure to pick out clean exercise clothes, pack your gym bag and fill up your water bottle so you can get up and go in a jiffy.
Talk it up. Decide that you're going to be that person in the office or around the neighborhood who is awe-inspiring for motivation. When co-workers start noticing your weight loss, tell them that you now exercise four to five times a week. Make it a character trait, a fact of life -- not just something you've been dabbling in lately. Hearing yourself describe your life in this way makes it real -- and will inspire you to keep it up.
Become an addict. The truth is, the "feel-good chemicals" released during high-intensity workouts can leave you craving exercise. If you can reach the point where you yearn for that fitness "high" the way someone might desire coffee, motivation will no longer be an issue.

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DrSugar: Exercise Addiction - How Much Is Too Much?

DrSugar — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:00:00 -0700

DrSugar is in the house and he's answering your health questions.

Dear DrSguar,
I'm a big fitness fanatic and spend more time than I'd like to admit working out at the gym. I'm starting to worry that I might have an exercise addiction. Could you provide me with more information?
- Excessive Exerciser?

Exercise addiction is a real problem, and it is very brave of you to write in with this question. To learn how to determine how much exercise is too much, read more.

Exercise addiction is an under-recognized issue that can lead to serious overuse injuries, hormone imbalances, and even permanent bone damage. There are multiple and varied reasons that people develop compulsive exercise habits that lead to "addiction." Sometimes the problem is related to body image and/or self esteem problems and can be similar to an eating disorder. In these people, compulsive exercise is the negative coping mechanism similar to starving or self-induced vomiting. Others use it as an escape from stress or other pressures, but these folks can develop an unhealthy relationship with exercise as a means of avoidance as well as looking for the positive endorphin rush from working out. Exercise is a great way to battle stress, but overdoing it can lead to self-destructive exercise behaviors.

Recognizing exercise addiction is not based entirely on the quantity of your workouts. World-class athletes often train for long periods every day and they would not necessarily be labeled as addicts. Compulsive exercise is more about a person’s feelings toward exercise and how compulsive exercising affects their life. Here are some questions to ask yourself regarding exercise addiction:

Have I missed a social event because I felt the need to exercise instead?
Do friends and family feel neglected because I am frequently exercising instead of spending time with them?
Do I feel guilty when I miss a planned workout?
Does missing a workout make me feel irritable and ruin my day?
Do I feel anxious when I think something with interfere with scheduled workouts?
Do I feel that my physical condition will be compromised if I don’t exercise for one day?

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, it could be a sign that you have developed an unhealthy relationship with exercise. If this sounds like you, I would recommend seeking help. I would try finding a counselor or therapist that specializes in body image issues or eating disorders since there is often a lot of a similarity between these disorders. Check out the treatment finder page at Something Fishy. Good luck.

Have a question for DrSugar? Send it by private messaging me here, and I will forward it to the good doctor.

DrSugar's posts are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Click here for more details.

Are You Addicted to Refined Carbs?

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 12:00:00 -0800

New research out of New Zealand found that refined carbs, essentially white flour and white sugar, are as addictive as cigarettes. They found that heavily processed foods with a high amount of refined carbohydrates, like sugary cereals and sweet baked goods, quickly raise the amount of sugar in the blood, and that this "sugar rush" activates the same areas of the brain stimulated by nicotine and other addictive drugs. Like other addictions, the refined carbs loses its effectiveness in creating the desired rush forcing folks to eat more refined carbs to capture the high. They eat more sweets despite the negative consequences, a defining element of addiction. These findings support the research out of Princeton that sugar has addictive qualities. That Cinnabon might not be as innocent as it seems.

I have been avoiding refined carbs for a long time now. Sticking with whole grains and keeping refined sugar in check leaves me feeling more even emotionally. But what about you . . .

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