Endorphins are drugs that are made naturally and which are used to enhance the human emotions so as to eliminate stress or any type of pain. Also known as the body’s natural painkiller, endorphins work with the opiate receptors in the brain like morphine or oxycodone, although side effects are not experienced.
What Are Endorphins?
Word endorphin was made by combining endogenous, meaning within body, and morphine which is an opiate analgesic. But in a nutshell, endorphins are opiates in the genuine sense of the word since they are produced by the human body.
Endorphins are hormones, which, as you recall, are chemicals that travel through the body’s nervous system. In particular, endorphins are neuropeptides, that is, small proteins that can help to transmit signals between neurons or nerve cells.
Endorphins act mainly as blocking agents of signal transmission of pain. This they achieve through acting on opioid receptors of nerve cells which are the receptors also associated with opiate based pain relievers. Thus, endorphins are capable of preventing pain messages from getting to your brain, as a result.
Apart from reducing pains feelings, the binding of endorphins to opioid receptors brings about a feeling of well being or a state of euphoria. This can produce what is sometimes termed the ‘runner’s high’ after a long run or even the happy feelings which might follow laughter.
Where do Endorphins Occur?
The two main endorphin hormones produced naturally in humans are:
- Beta-endorphins: Located in the pituitary gland but also in the hypothalamus, thalamus and amygdala sections of the brain.
- Enkephalins: Found in adrenal glands, the brain and the spinal cord.
Endorphins are released by the body naturally and they can be released as a result of performing tasks such as exercising, sexual intercourse, eating hot spices, or even extreme stunts. Childbirth also triggers a large production of endorphins which is thought to have the effect of mediating pain during delivery.
Orginally how do endorphines relieve pain?
Once they bind with opioid receptor sites in the brain, spinal cord or other site within the body, endorphins prevent pain from being felt. The technical name given to this is nociception, this is defined as the encoding and processing of noxious stimuli in the nervous system. Endorphins bind and stop nociception at the interface between neurons called synapses . When endorphins go to the opioid receptor sites, they block these chemicals of pain message from attaching there instead.
As pain signals cannot make it to the brain, that is, there is no signal to indicate that the body is feeling painful or uncomfortable. Thus, by blunt or blockage of the pain messages, endorphins help to alleviate chronic pain or discomfort. Argue for and Explain the importance of the Hormone Endorphin in enhancing the Mood.
Apart from being the natural painkillers, endorphins also produce emotions, such as, pleasure, joy, and even euphoria. This explains the fact that endorphins attach not only to the brain’s opioid receptors that determine pain, but also those that are related to pleasure. Like in the case of the long distance running, the flood of endorphins will lead to what is commonly referred to as the ‘runner’s high’. Another activity that also releases endorphins is laughter, and that is why people feel uplifted after a nice laugh. Further, it is hypothesized that even spicy foods release endorphins, probably to balance the effect of spicy ingredients.
Research has revealed that higher concentrations of endorphines are in some way related to optimistical attitudes and moods. Conversely, low levels of endorphin in the body are usually linked to depressiveness and negative energy. However, in many ways, we can still consider endorphin to be the brain’s chief happiness and comfort chemical entities. In order to be healthy, it becomes important to ensure that the endorphin performs optimally.
Side Effects of Exercise if Done Properly
If you are looking for a mood boost or want to tap into endorphins to help manage chronic pain, there are a variety of healthy ways to increase endorphin levels, including:
- Endurance activities such as jogging, swimming and cycling
- Weight training exercise
- Sex and physical intimacy
- Engaging in favorite recreation or past time interests
- Receiving a massage, an acupuncture treatment
- Taking cold showers
- Engaging in sports as a leisure activity
Considering the points mentioned above, the key lesson learned is that endorphin is involved in various critical activities of the human body concerning pain and stress relief as well as increasing pleasant emotions. Hunting for activities that release endorphins is an easy approach to conquering pain and stress without having to rely on medications.