{
  "id": 5130614,
  "title": "Runner's high study finds cannabis-like signaling molecules rise over extreme distances",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/runners-high-study-finds-cannabis-like-signaling-molecules-rise-over",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-02T17:00:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Medical Xpress",
    "slug": "medical-xpress",
    "url": "https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-09-runner-high-cannabis-molecules-extreme.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A new study has revealed that endocannabinoids, akin to cannabis molecules, increase throughout an entire marathon and even after extreme ultramarathon distances. Researchers from the University of Duisburg-Essen tracked these molecules in 19 experienced runners over a 25-mile course and compared the results with 36 participants who ran longer distances. Blood samples were taken before and after the runs, showing a clear rise in anandamide, a key endocannabinoid, over time. While this indicates the endocannabinoid system remains active during extended runs, the exact role it plays in the runner's high, characterized by reduced anxiety and euphoria, remains unclear.",
  "summary": "A marathon, 100 kilometers (62 miles) or even 230 kilometers (143 miles) in a single effort: Anyone running such distances puts enormous strain on their body. At the same time, levels of the body's own cannabis-like signaling molecules rise significantly. Dr. Michael Siebers from the Institute of Forensic Psychiatry and Sex Research at the University of Duisburg-Essen and his team have, for the…",
  "key_points": [
    "Endocannabinoids like cannabis molecules rise during marathon and ultramarathon.",
    "Anandamide, key endocannabinoid, increases over long-distance runs.",
    "Study unclear on runner's high role of endocannabinoid system."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}