Research Finds Exercise Has Similar Effect as Opioids

Galloway, N.J. 鈥 Can exercise have the same effect on anxiety, depression and pain tolerance as an opioid? 

淫性视频 junior exercise science major Harlee York from Riverdale, New Jersey presented her addiction research at the American College of Sports Medicine鈥檚 66th Annual Meeting May 28 to June 1 in Orlando, Florida. She is the first undergraduate student in 淫性视频鈥檚 Exercise Science program to present at a national meeting. 

York鈥檚 research was titled 鈥淐hanges in Analgesia, Hyperphagia and Depression are Mediated by Endogenous Opioids Following Forced Swimming Exercise.鈥 It was a collaborative effort with exercise science professors John Guers, Kelly Dougherty and Bryce Muth. The goal of the project was to analyze the brain鈥檚 own internal opioid system, using mice and the opioid receptor-blocking drug Naltrexone, to see if exercise had a similar effect as opioids when dealing with depression, anxiety and pain tolerance. The research team analyzed the mice鈥檚 behaviors while swimming, both with and without Naltrexone, to note any behavioral differences. 

鈥淓xercise is known to have an anti-depressive and pain killing effect for some individuals,鈥 said Guers. 鈥淓xercise is also known to have properties which resemble opioids.鈥 

The study concluded that the mice had a higher pain threshold following the exercise, and this effect was lowered with Naltrexone. It also revealed that the mice demonstrated lower characteristics associated with depression/anxiety following the exercise, and this effect was also diminished with Naltrexone. 

鈥淲e wanted to see if the internal opioid system was causing the positive effects on the before mentioned outcomes  anxiety, depression, and so on  that occurred with exercise ... and this was indeed the case,鈥 Guers said. 

The whole experience was particularly beneficial for York. 

 鈥淚t was a humbling experience to present our work at this national conference as an undergraduate student,鈥 said York. 鈥淚 hope that our program continues sending students to gain the same experience, and to grow through the research field and presenting findings in future years.鈥 

Reported by Kat H. Wentzell.

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