Sport makes you happy

It is literally the body’s command center where the body communication network is monitored and controlled. Gathering information from the network and provinding back instructions to act are the two main functions.

This system is basically made of millions of neurons or nerve cells connected to each other and to muscles, tissues and organs. The neurons transmit information from the periphery to the central system and send back orders to the periphery. The sensory information  and commands are transmitted through the nerves network  either as electrical impulses or “chemical” transmission through the synapse (connections among neurons).

The central system consists of the brain and the spinal cord. The spinal cord branches to muscles, organs, tissues along the body through the peripheral system.

The PNS or peripheral system has 2 sub-systems:

• Somatic. Responsible for the sensory information and voluntary motoric orders.
• Autonomous. Controls the vital processes by giving signals to “activate / stimulate” or to “stop / inhibit” functions.

See some details on Mcmillanhighred.com , visiblebody.

Our brain is programmed naturally with basic functions and reactions to keep us alive (autonomous system). As seen in the previous section, the brain gets information from the periphery and environment and sends back accordingly orders to react. In this process, the brain commands the body to activate or to stop processes by releasing substances (hormones, enzymes, neurotransmitters, etc.) to help the execution of the orders. When needed, it makes us feel good, bad, strong, scared, euphoric, tired in order to obtain an adequate response.

The brain can also consciously command intellectual tasks and physical movement. It has as well, the great ability to learn and to “educate” our body for many other functions and reactions.  

When we exercise, our brain and the rest of the nervous system release and/or control chemicals that enable the body to perform the way it does.  When we exercise we produce:

Serotonin. Is a hormone and a neurotransmitter found in the nervous system but also in the digestive system. It helps to contract or to dilate the veins, in the digestive system supports the contraction and relaxation of the perineal muscles, supports reach reflexes such as dizziness and nausea and communicates about pain and other sensations. In the nervous system, it supports on sensory perception, sleep regulation, temperature regulation, pain perception and treatment, appetite, etc. One additional and important effect of serotonin is on the mood, it causes a feeling of relaxation and attenuates the impact or bad feelings like fear, aggressivity, worry, anxiety and hunger.  It can also provide an euphoria effect.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter which plays an important role in the ability to think, plan, learn and focus. It also assists in the perception of wellness and pleasure, pain processing, movement, attention, etc.

Oxytocin. It is a hormone produced in the brain that has internal (in the brain) and peripheral functions (in the body). It is connected to the emotions and social bonding. It is also related to pain processing and mood.

Endorphins. Hormones released by the pituitary gland in the brain during sustained vigorous exercise. Similar to the chemicals aforementioned, endorphins are related to the euphoric feelings called “post-training-high”, decreased appetite and improved immune response.

Cortisol is the primary stress hormone which increases blood sugar, enhances the brain’s use of glucose and increases the availability of substances that repair tissues. Improves in short periods the working memory, reduces inflammation, ache, insomnia, fatigue and anxiety.

Noradrenalin. It is a hormone and a neurotransmitter whose function is to mobilize the brain and body for action. It increases alertness, triggers the release of glucose from the energy reserves, increases blood flow to muscles and promotes memory retrieval and creation.

Gaba. Gamma aminobutyric acid promotes relaxation, relieves anxiety, improves mood, can induce sleep and release of sex hormones. Has a sedative effect.

I have not found any document where quantities or proportions for the best mix of chemicals are provided and shown but i suppose that we all react in different ways and our bodies may produce different “cocktails” of chemicals. It seems that all chemicals play a role in all described body reactions and I cannot relate one effect (like memory improvement or increased blood flow) to only one of the substances mentioned.

The good news is that our body will produce what needs to be produced and released. It is a fact that sports trigger the production/ release of these and other substances that positively affect the brain, its performance and the perception of how we feel. If we consider the “feelings” and benefits as a package, we can say that indeed, sports make you feel better and improve your health. Let me summarize my findings in the next paragraph.

For more details you can also read the articles on the following pages:

Psycologytoday, psycologies.co.uk, University of British Colombia.