Exercise Addiction
Everest Saric
When you hear the word addiction, what do you think of? Most people probably think of alcohol or drugs, but what about having an addiction to exercise? While exercising, endorphins and dopamine are being released, which are the same neurotransmitters released during drug use. These neurotransmitters are what cause one to feel joy during drug use or exercise. Once you stop exercising, you no longer induce that chemical release that makes you feel so good.
Having an exercise addiction can potentially be very beneficial or dangerous to one's health.
Positive exercise addiction can help motivate one to reach their own mental and physical goals. Once a person starts to take care of their physical and mental health, it is proven that they will also see improvement in most other places of their life and relationships. Negative exercise addiction can lead to physiological or physical instability, even social isolation. Unhealthy relationships with fitness can lead to eating disorders and body dysmorphia.
People that may be at risk for developing a negative exercise addiction are people who feel pressure to stay in shape and people who are overweight and are striving for extreme weight loss. A study conducted by researchers at the University of California speculates that 15% of exercise addicts also are addicted to cigarettes, alcohol, or illicit drugs. Another 25% are speculated to have other addictions, such as a shopping addiction.
Some signs of exercise addiction are feeling buzzed after working out, experiencing withdrawal symptoms after long periods without exercise, uncontrollable desires to exercise, and inability to stick to a reduced exercise routine. Exercising is one of the healthiest things a person can do for their health. Being able to monitor a good relationship with exercise takes time to develop, but it is good to understand the difference between a healthy exercise regime and addiction.
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