[sophacles]

The exercise high is subtle, it's not a high like smoking a bunch of pot or getting drunk, rather it's a pleasant feeling. The first time i really understood it was: I had been doing regular running + weights for several months. Then for the holidays I was travelling and visiting people and didn't have a chance to exercise. After a few days I just felt this building of energy that had nowhere to go - my body had become used to regular exercise. About 10 days after my last real workout and 4 days since any activity involving physical exertion my plane landed and I checked into a hotel that had a gym. I dumped my bags and went to the gym and got on a treadmill thinking "finally i can burn off some of this energy and anxiety from it".

On that run as I warmed up I felt a giant release. And I felt happy... no giddy. And it was good. A few miles later I felt peace and then ran some more til I felt tired.

It's different than just putting some stuff in your nose and feeling good or popping a pill and seeing bright colors.

That's the most intense I ever felt it, but it was a good experience because it also helped me understand what it was, and I notice it often now - not every time I work out, but often - its there under the tired, post work-out let-down as sort of a "glow".