Information on the Writer's High?

December 5, 2006 6:33 AM

I'm looking for any information on the "Writer's High" I am assuming it is similar to the "runner's high." I have heard it mentioned a few times, mostly by writer's who use it for therapeutic purposes. Have any studies been done?
posted by Gnostic Novelist to law & government (5 comments total)

I think the generally accepted term for this is flow. Here's the book from which it comes.
posted by gnomeloaf at 6:44 AM on December 5, 2006

"Runner's High" is an endorphin release, which means it's an opiate stone. I doubt that "writer's high" is anything like the same thing.
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 7:53 AM on December 5, 2006

Well, one could rephrase the question as "is it possible for writing to cause the body to release endorphins (or what every it is that makes runners 'high')?"

The answer, according to Wikipedia, seems to be maybe:

However, some scientists question the mechanisms at work, their research possibly demonstrating the high comes from completing a challenge rather than as a result of exertion.

I didn't have much luck, in the 10 minutes I devoted to it, to tracking down their references, but it might give you a place to start.
posted by carmen at 8:34 AM on December 5, 2006

Be careful. Writer's High can cause Greengrocers' Apostrophe.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 9:36 AM on December 5, 2006

You mean Greengrocers apostrophe's.
posted by Mr. Gunn at 1:43 PM on December 5, 2006