Turns out it may be endocannabinoids (like those in cannabis), not endorphins, that produce the so-called runner’s high.

Whatever the chemical compound, the result is real and it’s spectacular.

That said, I really enjoy this bit:

To survive as a species, we seem to have needed to run, and nature obligingly found ways to make this strenuous movement pleasurable by providing us with a runner’s high.

I certainly experience the runner’s high when I run or I probably wouldn’t be so inclined to keep doing it.

Here’s visual evidence from this past weekend’s half marathon.

If you’re still not convinced, the only way to know for sure is to lace up your shoes and go out for a run.