Phenylethylamine: New Chemical May Explain "Runner's High"

New Chemical May Explain "Runner's High"

There is growing evidence that regular exercise boosts people's moods and may even fight clinical depression.

Researchers found that a session of moderate aerobic activity appears to elevate the body's levels of phenylethylamine, a natural chemical linked to energy, mood and attention. When they had 20 healthy young men run on a treadmill for 30 minutes, the average concentration of phenylethylamine in the participants' urine increased 77%.

Because the chemical is similar in some ways to amphetamines, the researchers speculate that phenylethylamine may play a role in the "runner's high."

In addition, the report indicates, research in patients with depression and bipolar disorder has shown they have lower-than-normal levels of the chemical in their urine.
British Journal of Sports Medicine 2001;35342-343

From Mike:

I suspect that this chemical is related to endorphins, driven by the parasympathetic nervous system and therefore is directly dependent upon the way we breathe. There is probably also a need for adequate foods containing phenylethylamine (not to be confused with phenylalanine) so that we get it synergized and balanced with other natural live substances.
Over a period of time amines, which includes phenylethylamine, can build up in your system causing reactions that mimic allergies. That is why we take antihistamines when we get many allergic reactions. Hence the suggestion to get them as naturally, in foods, as possible. 

Foods containing amines are

Very low

Fruits: Apple, apricot, blueberry, gooseberry, lime, peach, pear, rhubarb, strawberry.
Vegetables: Asparagus, cabbage, carrot, celery, corn, cucumber, green beans, green pea, lettuce, lima beans, onion, peppers, potato, radish, soya bean, turnip.
Nuts: Chestnut, horse chestnut, sunflower, pine nut, pistachio.
Sweets and sweeteners: Carob,  maple syrup.
Beverages: Goat milk, lemonade, soya milk, decaffeinated coffee.
Misc: Tofu, tofu ice cream.

Low

Fruit: Black currant, cherry, grapefruit, honeydew melon, mandarin, red currant.
Nuts: Almond, cashew, coconut, macadamia.

Moderate

Fruits: Dates, kiwi fruit, orange, passion fruit, pap paw, tangerine.
Vegetables:  olives
Nuts: Brazil, hazelnut.
Meat, fish, and poultry: Meat, fish and poultry older than two days.
Any frozen meat.
Chicken liver and skin, salmon (tinned), tuna (fresh).
Beverages: Coffee, coffee substitutes, tea, decaffeinated tea
Condiments: Malt vinegar

High

Meat, fish, and poultry: Bacon, hot dogs, frozen fish, gravy, ham, mackerel (tinned), meat juices, meat loaf, offal, pork, sardines (tinned).
Dairy: Mild cheeses
Condiments: Meat extracts, soy sauce, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce.
Sweets and sweeteners: Cocoa, milk chocolate, white chocolate.

Very, VERY high

AFA super potent concentration
Vegetables Sauerkraut, spinach.
Nuts Butternut
Meat and fish and poultry Any form of dried, pickled, salted, or smoked fish and meat.
Anchovies, beef liver, fish roe, pies and pasties, processed fish products (such as fish fingers, cakes, paste), salami, sausages, tuna (tinned).
Dairy Virtually all cheeses including brie, camembert, cheddar, cheshire, Danish blue, edam, emmental, gloucester, gouda, gruyere, jarlsberg, leicester, mozzarella,, parmesan, processed cheese, provolone, roquefort, stilton, Swiss, wensleydale.
Sweets Dark chocolate
Condiments Hydrolysed protein, miso, tempeh, yeast extracts.
Beverages Chocolate flavored drinks, cocoa, cola type drinks, orange juice.

RUNNERS HIGH
When taken orally, PEA is known to readily cross the blood-brain barrier and be immediately available in the brain. In the brain PEA acts by increasing the concentration of dopamine in the synaptic cleft. Naturally enhancing dopamine transmission in the brain has been associated with greater experience of pleasure.