Exercise found to be as addictive as heroin

Zammo: Just say moderation

Researchers from the United States have found that excessive exercise can induce the same reaction in the brain as drugs such as heroin.

Scientists from Tufts University in Massachusetts also discovered that a sudden cessation of extreme exercise can lead to the same withdrawal symptoms including ‘trembling, writhing, teeth chattering, and drooping eyelids’.

The results were obtained from observing a group of rats, some of which exercised excessively on a wheel as if they were addicted and others which did no exercise. All the rats were then administered a drug used to counteract the effects of heroin.

The active rats showed serious withdrawal symptoms similar to rats addicted to heroin. The non-active rats were unaffected.

‘As with food intake and other parts of life, moderation seems to be the key.’ said report author Professor Robin Kanarek.

Fortunately few masters swimmers are thought to be at risk of partaking in dangerous amounts of exercise, but as a precautionary measure British Swimming has advised all rats not to run on wheels an excessive amount. They have also cautioned against heroin use, even as part of a training regime.