Runners high is though to be produced by the release of opioid like molecules (similar to morphine) that re released during high intensity exercise.
These endogenous opioids are called endorphins. I have had a look around. There isn't a huge number of papers on this sort of thing but there are a couple. I have posted some examples that I could get a hold of below.
http://www.haydnallbutt.com.au/files/acidosis_endorphins.pdf(I can't get a hold of this paper, my uni doesn't subscribe to it)
Goldfarb, A.H. & Jamurtas, A.Z. b-Endorphin Response to Exercise: An Update. Sports Medicine 24(1):8-16 (1997).
beta-Endorphin, a 31-amino-acid peptide, is primarily synthesised in the anterior pituitary gland and cleaved from pro-opiomelanocortin, its larger precursor molecule. beta-Endorphin can be released into the circulation from the pituitary gland or can project into areas of the brain through nerve fibres. Exercise of sufficient intensity and duration has been demonstrated to increase circulating beta-endorphin levels. Previous reviews have presented the background of opioids and exercise and discussed the changes in beta-endorphin levels in response to aerobic and anaerobic exercise. The present review is to update the response of beta-endorphin to exercise. This review suggests that exercise-induced beta-endorphin alterations are related to type of exercise and special populations tested, and may differ in individuals with health problems. Additionally, some of the possible mechanisms which may induce beta-endorphin changes in the circulation include analgesia, lactate or base excess, and metabolic factors. Based on the type of exercise, different mechanisms may be involved in the regulation of beta-endorphin release during exercise.
(same with this one)
Plasma Beta-Endorphin Immunoreactivity-Response to Resistance Exercise.' Journal of Sports Sciences, vol. 11(6), pp. 499-502, December 1993
Previous research investigating the response of plasma szlig-endorphins (szlig-EP) to resistance exercise has resulted in equivocal findings. To further examine the effects of resistance exercise on szlig-endorphin immunoreactivity, six resistance-trained athletes participated in a three-set series of eight repetitions of isotonic exercise. All exercises were performed at 80% maximal effort. Blood was sampled from the group by venepuncture, both prior to and following the exercise bout, and szlig-endorphin concentration was determined by radioimmunoassay. The results indicated that mean ( ± S.E.) plasma levels of szlig-endorphins following exercise (18.04 ± 3.4 pg szlig-EP ml-1) were not significantly changed from pre-exercise (control) levels (19.59 ± 2.4 pg szlig-EP ml-1), although there was considerable inter-individual variability. Our results support previous research which has reported no significant changes in szlig-endorphin immunoreactivity following resistance exercise, as well as reported findings of considerable variability in the szlig-endorphin response to exercise.
Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2004; 6(3): 104?111
(
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=474733)
Books such as:
Sports endocrinology
By Michelle P. Warren, Naama W. Constantini
(
http://www.amazon.com/Sports-Endocrinology-Contemporary-Michelle-Warren/dp/0896035867)
Exercise endocrinology
By Katarina T. Borer
(
http://www.amazon.com/Exercise-Endocrinology-Katarina-T-Borer/dp/0880115661/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245386880&sr=1-1)
Have a lot of useful information on the physiology of hormone release as a result of exercise.
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