Endorphin: The Natural Pain-Reliever & Antidepressant
Endorphin, from the words endogenous morphine, is a chemical produced by the body that serves to suppress pain. It acts as analgesic and as sedative, and is also known to counter mild anxiety and depression because of its feel-good effect.
Scientists believed that endorphins are activated during periods of pain, starvation and exercise, the latter of which produces the "runner's high". Emotional stress is also known to release the chemicals in the limbic system that results to a sense of euphoria. Endorphins are localized in the brain, the spinal cord and in other parts of the body. They are neurotransmitters which are responsible in transmitting electric signals within the nervous system. They function primarily as pain control agents that intercept the sending of pain messages to the brain.
Types of Endorphins
Endorphins are classified into three major types: beta endorphins, enkephalins and dynorphins. Beta-endorphins are found in the pituitary gland and are considered to provide strong analgesic effects. Enkephalins and dynorphins are distributed throughout the nervous system. Dynorphins and leu-enkephalin have comparable properties but the former is more potent and are found in pituitary, hypothalamus, and spinal cord. Both dynorphins and enkephalinregulate extrapyramidal motor function, cardiovascular and water balance systems, eating, signal processing and pain reception.
What triggers endorphins?
The release of endorphins in the body are not necessarily the same for all individuals. The release of endorphins are not exactly the same for the same food taken nor activity done. Spicy food and sweets such as chocolate are among those known to cause the brain to release endorphins. Certain activities and treatments like exercise, sex, laughter, massage therapy and acupuncture could likewise trigger the production of the chemicals.
Benefits of endorphins
Sufficient levels of endorphins not only lessen pain and the negative effects of stress but also give one a positive feeling. Similarly, they help regulate the appetite, the release of sex hormones and strengthens the immune system. Unlike such pain-reliever drugs as morphine and codeine, they don't have addictive substances nor do they have the adverse effects of antidepressants. This is especially relevant in the light of the staggering number of Americans who suffer from depression which, according to the Centers for Disease control and Depression (CDC), afflicts an estimated that 1 out of 10. Controversies like the Paxil lawsuit filed by the users [http://www.paxilbirthdefectlaw.com/updates/holiday-depression-common-among-those-who-are-isolated/] of one of the more widely prescribed antidepressants, have brought to fore questions about the efficacy and safety of drug medication in chronic pain and severe depression. These issues highlight the importance of looking at internal resources in the body that produce the same qualities as existing treatment options but without their adverse effects in dealing with the various threats and risks we encounter in life.
Scientists believed that endorphins are activated during periods of pain, starvation and exercise, the latter of which produces the "runner's high". Emotional stress is also known to release the chemicals in the limbic system that results to a sense of euphoria. Endorphins are localized in the brain, the spinal cord and in other parts of the body. They are neurotransmitters which are responsible in transmitting electric signals within the nervous system. They function primarily as pain control agents that intercept the sending of pain messages to the brain.
Types of Endorphins
Endorphins are classified into three major types: beta endorphins, enkephalins and dynorphins. Beta-endorphins are found in the pituitary gland and are considered to provide strong analgesic effects. Enkephalins and dynorphins are distributed throughout the nervous system. Dynorphins and leu-enkephalin have comparable properties but the former is more potent and are found in pituitary, hypothalamus, and spinal cord. Both dynorphins and enkephalinregulate extrapyramidal motor function, cardiovascular and water balance systems, eating, signal processing and pain reception.
What triggers endorphins?
The release of endorphins in the body are not necessarily the same for all individuals. The release of endorphins are not exactly the same for the same food taken nor activity done. Spicy food and sweets such as chocolate are among those known to cause the brain to release endorphins. Certain activities and treatments like exercise, sex, laughter, massage therapy and acupuncture could likewise trigger the production of the chemicals.
Benefits of endorphins
Sufficient levels of endorphins not only lessen pain and the negative effects of stress but also give one a positive feeling. Similarly, they help regulate the appetite, the release of sex hormones and strengthens the immune system. Unlike such pain-reliever drugs as morphine and codeine, they don't have addictive substances nor do they have the adverse effects of antidepressants. This is especially relevant in the light of the staggering number of Americans who suffer from depression which, according to the Centers for Disease control and Depression (CDC), afflicts an estimated that 1 out of 10. Controversies like the Paxil lawsuit filed by the users [http://www.paxilbirthdefectlaw.com/updates/holiday-depression-common-among-those-who-are-isolated/] of one of the more widely prescribed antidepressants, have brought to fore questions about the efficacy and safety of drug medication in chronic pain and severe depression. These issues highlight the importance of looking at internal resources in the body that produce the same qualities as existing treatment options but without their adverse effects in dealing with the various threats and risks we encounter in life.
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