[ELI5] Why does stretching feel so good?
In: Biology
I’m seeing a lot of answers about ATP or generally how muscles work- I think that might be related but probably missing the mark. When you stretch your muscles you are activating afferent nerves that return to the spinal cord. These nerves carry signals that presumably “scratch an itch” that the central nervous system had.
One other thing- usually when you stretch you don’t just do it fast and stop, it’s like a gradual thing and then you hold the posture and contract a little maybe even shaking slightly (I’m thinking about sleepy panda yawning stretch). When you hold a given contraction of the muscle you activate some other mechanisms of keeping the contraction going, related to how ions can go into the cells telling the muscles to move. Those mechanisms are influenced by some of the same molecules involved in making you feel good. I personally have no idea if those things are related in a scientific, way, but maybe they are related somehow.
In the midst of stretching it feels like I’m pushing something outward away from me. It’s like a moment of shedding 🦎 😁
I’m not sure why it feels good, but sometimes if I stretch my legs, for too long I’ll get a Charlie horse 🫠
Wow…no one’s got it yet? Ok my time to shine.
[Muscle Fuzz](https://www.google.com/search?q=muscle+fuzz)
So over time the smooth surfaces of your muscles that slide over one another will develop this “fuzz” or fascia. It’s a sort of mild connective tissue. Stretching breaks this up and removes it, which feels good and restores flexiblity. Fuzz likes to build up during inactivity, which is why you need to stretch after sitting for long periods of time.
What absolute bullshit to remove top level comments that are anecdotal. Yes they might not be directly related, but have relation nonetheless, and they spark curiosity in people. What else do we need than the desire to be curious??!
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