Catecholamines, Dopamine, and Endorphin Levels during Extreme Exercise

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Abstract
To the Editor: Long-distance running represents an important model for the study of the effects of high-level muscular activity on all body systems. The reported benefits of a running program on some emotional disorders1 and the commonly described phenomena of euphoria and addiction suggest participation of the central nervous system in the response to physical activity. In an attempt to evaluate the hypothesis that endorphins and biogenic amines have a role in this response pattern, we decided to measure catecholamines, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), and β-endorphin in the blood of runners before, during, and after a long and strenuous race.The . . .