Running could be more effective than medications in easing depression: Study

Familiar with the term ‘runner’s high’? Well, it’s more than just a good feeling – a recent study suggests it can have significant benefits, like reducing depression and anxiety.

A recent study, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, indicates that consistent running might provide health advantages superior to those of antidepressant medications.

This arises amid a continuing discussion about whether exercise is more effective than medications in treating depressive and anxiety disorders.

In the study, which included 141 patients diagnosed with anxiety , participants were given the option to choose between group-based running therapy or antidepressant medication as treatments for their conditions.

The participants in the antidepressant group were given escitalopram, which is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) designed to boost serotonin levels in the brain. However, the specific dosage and intake schedule for this medication were not specified in the study.

Around 44% of participants from both groups demonstrated improvements in symptoms related to both depression and anxiety.

Remarkably, the running group showed improvements in weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, and heart function in contrast to the antidepressant group, which did not experience these positive changes.

Additionally, the researchers noted that the antidepressant group had slightly higher levels of depression before the study began.

Brenda Pennix, a researcher from Vrije University in Amsterdam, emphasized that the study’s goal was to offer individuals dealing with anxiety and depression a tangible choice between different treatment options.

She pointed out that the study highlights the fact that while many people are intrigued by the concept of using exercise as a treatment, it can be difficult to sustain despite its substantial benefits.

Prior research has indicated that exercise could be more effective than antidepressants in managing depressive and anxiety disorders. The World Health Organization (WHO) also supports the idea of exercise as a complementary approach to medication for enhancing mental health.

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