Human bodies produce morphine – for our own use, of course. It can be released into the body by playing sport. As it turns out, a lot of sport.
Physical effort leads to the release of endorphins – the hormone of happiness. Nothing is better at improving well-being than decent exercise! You must have heard words to this effect for years. But perhaps each time you are forced to exercise, you feel a notable lack of energy and happiness? Maybe you want to sleep and relax rather than jump for joy? Are you wondering what’s wrong with you? Or is there rather something wrong with the theory that physical effort leads to happiness?
What are these mythical endorphins? First of all, the phrase is an abbreviation – the full name is ‘endogenous morphines’
