Do Endorphin Rushes Help You Burn More Calories?
Released by your pituitary glands, endorphins are hormones that help block pain. In fact, endorphins are similar in structure to morphine, working as opioid receptors to not only reduce discomfort but to create feelings of happiness.
Endorphins can be released by cardiovascular-based activities like running, HIIT workouts, cycling, swimming and dancing.
The Benefits of Endorphins
The benefits of endorphins are many. We've already mentioned some, but let's recap and expand on the perks of these naturally produced chemicals.
- Increase feelings of euphoria and well-being
- Reduce pain
- Increase libido
- Boost maternal/nurturing behaviour
- Reduce depression and anxiety
- Alleviate stress
- Increase self-esteem
However, there is a common misconception that endorphins are responsible for the workout high—that blissed-out feeling you get during a solid sweat 'sesh. Recent research shows that since endorphins are unable to pass through the blood-brain barrier, they are unlikely to be causing these feelings of euphoria during your workout.
What's more, while endorphins numb pain right away, studies suggest that endorphin levels may not increase at all until an hour after working out.
So, how do you explain the euphoric feeling you get after a 20-minute BR+ class with us?
More likely, the hormone responsible for this rush are anandamide—which can pass the blood-brain barrier and is likely the happy hormone responsible for the endorphin rush—as well as serotonin and norepinephrine, which are also neurotransmitters produced when you exercise that boost feelings of elation.
However, there is little doubt that your body's production of endorphins (especially in tandem with these other buzz-worthy chemicals) can help you burn more calories during your workouts.
How Endorphins Help to Burn More Calories
To be clear, the endorphins themselves do not burn more calories, but because the release of them reduces sensations of pain, endorphins help people work out for longer, which does result in increased calorie burn.
The Best Workouts for Endorphin Production
As mentioned, the best workouts to stimulate the production of endorphins—and those other highly recommended happy hormones—include running, cycling, swimming, cardio HIIT, and...dancing!
Dancing is particularly effective since it allows your body to release tension in a free flow of movement coupled with the well-established stress-busting benefits of music.
This is one of the reasons we’re so stoked to have The Dancer’s Body with Shaka Lee as one of our newest—and already most popular—series on BodyRockPlus.
Over the course of 45-minute classes, BodyRock Trainer Shaka Lee leads you through a fun, flirty dance routine that'll burn calories, improve your balance and coordination, help you create a stronger, leaner body and boost your confidence.
Try her classes for 30 FULL DAYS, absolutely FREE when you join us on BodyRockPlus now. You’ll also score access to thousands of other workouts for all fitness levels that you can do anytime, anywhere. Endorphins, guaranteed!
REFERENCES:
https://www.healthline.com/health/endorphins#symptoms
https://www.cnn.com/2016/01/13/health/endorphins-exercise-cause-happiness/index.html