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Is Surfing A Gateway Drug to Happiness?
Photo by Jason Rojas via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
It's accepted that regular surf sessions are responsible for mellowing many a dude, but can serious surf time make you happy too? Manhattan Beach native Ryan Pittsinger has studied the link between surfing and mental health and has found that just 30 minutes of riding waves can significantly decrease negative feelings, according to the Hermosa Beach Patch.After polling more than 100 surfers in Manhattan Beach, he found that surfing increased feelings of "tranquility" and "calmness" more than other athletic activities and that several surfers have linked their love of riding waves with having a positive effect on their depression.
Manhattan Beach resident Brian Normandin thinks surfing is more like a drug that gives him a much-needed dopamine high. "There's almost a drug aspect to surfing," he said. "You want it all the time. Whenever you're riding a wave you never want it to stop."
It may be time ditch your pills and pick up your boards, L.A. Let the waves roll in and never let it stop.
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