Do it for the adrenaline rush

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the adrenaline rush

The more stressed out we become, the more we appear to seek out extreme, “stressful” challenges – but why?

According to Dr. Pelletier, Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Universities of California, San Francisco and Arizona, we’re looking to chemically alter our state to snap us out of our worrying heads. How do we achieve it? The adrenaline rush.

“A profound physiological response that increases blood flow, heart rate and respiration, and shunts blood away from the brain to the muscles, so that the brain is quieted. It triggers the release of endorphin, serotonin and dopamine (in preparation for pain), so we experience euphoria.

Alpha-wave activity is generated in the brain, associated with relaxation and the clearing of unwanted thoughts (what meditators experience). It results in a hyperactive metabolic response, to fuel the body for the fight-or-flight challenge, including the rapid breakdown of sugars and fats.

The upshot: that intoxicating “runner’s high” and dramatically heightened senses… from vision to touch.” (Read the full trend report on Spafinder)

Feeling brave? Here’s 5 ways you can tap into that merry cocktail. Just remember what goes up must come down so make time for a massage and some meditation afterwards to keep cortisol at bay…

Marathon des Sables
Photo: Marathon des Sables

Marathon des Sables

A six-day, 251 km ultramarathon. Approximately the same distance as six regular marathons. The longest single stage is 91 km long. This multiday race is held every year in southern Morocco, in the Sahara Desert.

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Tough Mudder
Photo: Tough Mudder

Tough Mudder

A team oriented obstacle course designed to test physical strength and mental grit. Playing on common human fears such as fire, water, electricity and heights, these obstacles are not for the faint hearted…

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Jungle Marathon
Photo: Jungle Marathon

Jungle Marathon

An extreme footrace through primary Amazon Jungle in Brazil. Choose from three distances: a marathon; a 4 stage 127km race and a 6 stage 254km race.

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Brutal Events
Photo: Brutal Events

Midnight Marathon

Set in the breathtaking Brecon Beacons, the course takes you through forests, over streams, past waterfalls and up mountains. The difference between this and any other mountain marathon, is that you start at 5.30PM and have to finish before the midnight cut off.

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Ironman
Photo: Ironman

Ironman

A triathlon consisting of a 2.4-mile (3.86 km) swim, a 112-mile (180.25 km) bicycle ride and a marathon 26.2-mile (42.16 km) run, raced in that order and without a break.

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Barrys Bootcamp
Photo: Barry’s Bootcamp

Barry’s Bootcamp: Hell Week

7 days of Barry’s back to back for £85. You know what to do. 31 July 2017 – 06 August 2017.

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