Editing Running (section)

=== Mental {{anchor|Mental benefits}} ===
Running can also have psychological benefits, as many participants in the sport report feeling an elated, euphoric state, often referred to as a "[[runner's high]]".<ref>{{Cite journal
| last1 = Boecker
| first1 = H.
| last2 = Sprenger
| first2 = T.
| last3 = Spilker
| first3 = M. E.
| last4 = Henriksen
| first4 = G.
| last5 = Koppenhoefer
| first5 = M.
| last6 = Wagner
| first6 = K. J.
| last7 = Valet
| first7 = M.
| last8 = Berthele
| first8 = A.
| last9 = Tolle
| first9 = T. R.
| doi = 10.1093/cercor/bhn013
| title = The Runner's High: Opioidergic Mechanisms in the Human Brain
| journal = Cerebral Cortex
| volume = 18
| issue = 11
| pages = 2523–2531
| year = 2008
| pmid = 18296435
|url=http://mediatum.ub.tum.de/doc/693893/document.pdf
| doi-access = free
}}{{Dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Running is frequently recommended as therapy for people with clinical depression and people coping with addiction.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.freediets.com/endurance-training/the-benefits-of-running |title = Health benefits of running |publisher = Free Diets |access-date = 16 October 2008 |archive-date = 27 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727095909/http://www.freediets.com/endurance-training/the-benefits-of-running |url-status = dead }}</ref> A possible benefit may be the enjoyment of nature and scenery, which also improves psychological well-being<ref>{{Cite journal
| last1 = Barton | first1 = J.
| last2 = Pretty | first2 = J.
| doi = 10.1021/es903183r
| title = What is the Best Dose of Nature and Green Exercise for Improving Mental Health? A Multi-Study Analysis
| journal = Environmental Science & Technology
| volume = 44
| issue = 10
| pages = 3947–3955
| year = 2010
| pmid = 20337470
| bibcode = 2010EnST...44.3947B
| s2cid = 1443095
}}</ref> (see [[Ecopsychology#Practical benefits|Ecopsychology § Practical benefits]]).

In animal models, running has been shown to increase the number of [[neurogenesis|newly created neurons]] within the brain.<ref name="pmid10195220">{{cite journal |vauthors=van Praag H, Kempermann G, Gage FH |title=Running increases cell proliferation and neurogenesis in the adult mouse dentate gyrus |journal=Nat. Neurosci. |volume=2 |issue=3 |pages=266–270 |date=March 1999 |pmid=10195220 |doi=10.1038/6368 |s2cid=7170664 }}</ref> This finding could have significant implications in aging as well as learning and memory. A recent study published in ''[[Cell Metabolism]]'' has also linked running with improved memory and learning skills.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/311152.php|title=Memory improved by protein released in response to running|website=Medical News Today|date=24 June 2016}}</ref>

Running is a great technique to lower inflammation, stress, anxiety, and depression. People with seasonal affective disorder benefit from running outside in warm, sunny weather. Running can improve mental alertness and sleep.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Kalak | first1=Nadeem | title=Daily morning running for 3 weeks improved sleep and psychological functioning in healthy adolescents compared with controls. |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1054139X12001115| journal=Journal of Adolescent Health | year=2012 | volume=51 | issue=6 | pages=615–622 | doi=10.1016/j.jadohealth.2012.02.020 | pmid=23174473 | url-access=subscription }}</ref> Both research and clinical experience have shown that exercise can be a treatment for serious depression and anxiety even some physicians prescribe exercise to most of their patients.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Greist | first1=John | title=Running as treatment for depression |url=https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0010-440X%2879%2990058-0 | journal=Comprehensive Psychiatry | year=1979 | volume=20 | issue=1 | pages=41–54 | doi=10.1016/0010-440X(79)90058-0 | pmid=759100 | url-access=subscription }}</ref> Running can have a longer-lasting effect than anti-depressants.<ref>Alic, M. (2012). Mental health and exercise. In J. L. Longe, The Gale encyclopedia of fitness. Farmington, MI: Gale. Retrieved from https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/galefit/mental_health_and_exercise/0</ref> The non-threatening environment offered by running generates a sense of achievement and belonging which helps with mental illness.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Morris |first1=Paul |last2=Scott |first2=Helen |date=2019-07-03 |title=Not just a run in the park: a qualitative exploration of parkrun and mental health |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/18387357.2018.1509011 |journal=Advances in Mental Health |language=en |volume=17 |issue=2 |pages=110–123 |doi=10.1080/18387357.2018.1509011 |issn=1838-7357}}</ref>