Cited by 106Stress Responses and CortisolNeuropeptides and Animal PhysiologyPhysical Activity and Health

The effects of running and meditation on beta-endorphin, corticotropin-releasing hormone and cortisol in plasma, and on mood

Harte, Jane L., Eifert, Georg H., Smith, Roger·1995·Biological Psychology

Abstract

The relations between three hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis, beta-endorphin (beta-EP), corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and cortisol, and mood change were examined in 11 elite runners and 12 highly trained mediators matched in age, sex, and personality. Despite metabolic differences between running and meditation, we predicted that mood change after these activities would be similar when associated with similar hormonal change. Compared to pre-test and control values, mood was elevated after both activities but not significantly different between the two groups at post-test. There were significant elevations of beta-EP and CRH after running and of CRH after meditation, but no significant differences in CRH increases between groups. CRH was correlated with positive mood changes after running and mediation. Cortisol levels were generally high but erratic in both groups. We conclude that positive affect is associated with plasma CRH immunoreactivity which itself is significantly associated with circulating beta-EP supporting a role for CRH in the release of beta-EP. Increased CRH immunoreactivity following meditation indicates, however, that physical exercise is not an essential requirement for CRH release.

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Crossref · 10.1016/0301-0511(95)05118-t

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34 of 34 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • The relaxation response may be associated with greater pain tolerance, as it has the potential to enhance the brain's responsiveness to endorphins, cause muscle relaxation, reduce hypervigilance and emotional reactivity to pain, and desensitize central pain pathways.

    “The relaxation response may be associated with greater pain tolerance, as it has the potential to enhance the brain’s responsiveness to endorphins40,41, cause muscle relaxation, reduce hypervigilance and emotional reactivity to pain and desensitize central pain pathways.25”

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Authors
Harte, J. L., Eifert, G. H., & Smith, R.
Affiliations
  • James Cook University (AU)
  • West Virginia University (US)
  • John Hunter Hospital (AU)
Corresponding author
Eifert, Georg H.
Venue
Biological Psychology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
1995-06
Volume
40
Issue
3
Pages
251-265
ISSN
0301-0511 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2068160214
Cited by
105
References
37
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 9 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 7
FWCI
1.05
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Biological Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • ResearchOnline - JCU (James Cook University) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Newcastle University
  • James Cook University
  • National Health and Medical Research Council
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
Keywords
beta-endorphin, corticotropin-releasing factor, cortisol, mood, running, meditation, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, elite runners, positive affect, plasma hormone levels, physical activity
MeSH terms
Adult, Affect, Arousal, beta-Endorphin, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone, Heart Rate, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Male, Reference Values, Running, Yoga

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