Well, we all know exercise is one of the best ways we can ensure minimal health problems, a longer life, a slimmer waistline and therefor lower BMI, and many, many other great attributes, but yet another one is in the process of being proven as to another reason why everyone should be working out. There is new evidence that regular exercise may help those with substance abuse problems to kick the habit, drinking or taking some other form of addictive drugs), or never start in the first place.

This is really great stuff, especially for all those people and medical specialists who have, over the years, touted exercise as one of the greatest boons to human happiness, illness prevention and overall health benefit, in other words, exercise is the best thing for anyone who wants to create a wall of protection around them when it comes to disease, depression and other ailments, including substance abuse.

The study prompted interest in the prevention of substance abuse via exercise when surveys were held with college students and they were asked to answer some questions that would tell researchers what the common theme was in those that experienced substance abuse. And guess what? Those that answered they were not addicted to nicotine or alcohol also reported that they regularly exericse, while a significantly higher percentage answered yes to the addiction question answered in the physicaly category that they were more sedentary.

The study further goes on to state that the relationship between exercise and substance abuse may be that the exercise provides the same type of pleasure driven feelings that substances can produce. In other words, just like cigarettes (see page for if you want to quit) or alcohol, or any other sort of substance that is considered a street drug, exercise provides that sort of pleasurable experience and essentially replaces the pleasure that might be caused by certain substances, making the subjects that exercise more less apt to go in search, whether consciously or subconsciously, of those substances that also produce some sort of a void filler.

So folks, this is just another reason to exercise. And, even if you addicted to something not, it’s never too late to start exercising. The mind needs and craves physical activity, and if it doesn’t get it, you just may find you’re looking elsewhere to fill that need, and that’s never good when it comes to controlled substances and addictive chemicals. Go out and try a Horizon treadmill or some other form of exercise equipment to have around at all times, so no matter if it’s winter or summer you have some sort of outlet for pleasure and satisfaction that replaces these sorts of addictions.

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 19th, 2008 at 10:28 pm and is filed under Health and Fitness News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.