The Endorphins , Known colloquially as hormones of happiness, are peptidic substances produced naturally in the brain, which block the sensation of pain and are related to pleasurable emotional responses.
Endogenous opiate peptides; Substances chemically the same as those derived from opium, such as morphine, codeine and heroin, with the difference that they are produced by the organism itself.
They are a group of chemicals classified within the group of neuromodulators and perform functions in emotional behaviors.
The name of endorphins means internal morphine. They act as neurotransmitters or hormonal vehicles within the body.
They are considered endogenous opioid analgesics, since their release is involved with analgesia or decreased pain, also in the inhibition of typical defense responses of the species.
In addition, the release of endorphins also produces a sense of well-being, pleasurable sensations, since the circuits of the reinforcement are stimulated.
Other endogenous or opioid opioid peptides, in addition to endorphins, are enkephalins and dynorphins.
Endorphins are also implicated in temperature and regulation, in the cardiovascular response, in respiration, and in attention and memory. In memory they act at the hippocampus level.
Endorphins are really important in the sensation of pleasure in the organism. About 20 opioid peptides have been found which are classified into three groups.
All these peptides act by inhibiting brain neurons that are involved in the pain.
How and where do endorphins occur?
Endorphins are natural substances and are synthesized by brain And relieve pain, as can opiates such as morphine, codeine and also heroin.
They are neurotransmitters belonging to the group of opioid peptides and produced in the pituitary gland , Activating nuclei in the brain and acting on the central nervous system (CNS) and on the peripheral nervous system (SNP).
The good thing about endorphins is that, despite this, they do not show the side effects of drugs on the nervous system.
The human body produces the endorphins by itself, but it is true that their normal and natural production is also stimulated by some nutrients that are absorbed from the food that the person ingests.
In the brain, endorphins bind to neuron receptors.
The release of endorphins is also related to the release of ACTH, the adrenocorticotropic hormone that stimulates the adrenal glands related to stress.
In this way, when there is pain or stress in the organism, the brain releases endorphins that bind with the receptors, and in this way the effects of well-being are produced in the organism.
Both euphoria, analgesia, reduced bowel mobility, etc. take place.
However, it is true that these receptors are also sensitive to drugs, to exogenous opiates. In this way, these drugs that are used as pain relievers produce dependence on the human being.
What the role of endorphins in physiological processes is not fully described. However, it is known its chemical functioning and its relationship with well-being.
The History of Endorphins
Researchers began to study them when they discovered that some drugs, opiates (morphine, heroin) seemed to fit perfectly with some receptors in our brains.
The human being has always been looking for the right way to reduce the pain, and he has done it through methods, medicinal plants, etc.
It was discovered already in the year 1500 A.C. That some drugs ( opium ) Produced analgesia, when the healing properties of opium were extracted from the poppy. It was also used in Greece, in the army and in China and in England.
Side effects, dependence, were soon discovered. However, they have continued to be used to deal with pain.
It is in the year 1972 when it is discovered in animals, specifically in rats, that when some brain zones are stimulated electrically, an analgesic effect takes place.
This suggested that there was something in the organism, naturally produced by it, that was similar to opiates.
In the same decade the action of the enkephalins was discovered, but soon it was seen that effect was less.
What are the benefits of endorphins?
The endorphins next to the Serotonin Are the substances of the human body that generate the person sensation of happiness , Of well-being and that favor a restful sleep. In addition, they also act as natural painkillers.
Endorphins trigger pleasurable feelings of well-being, such as happiness, tranquility, euphoria and creativity .
The main action of endorphins in the body is to block the pain detectors in the brain of the person, specifically in the brain and midbrain.
In these parts endorphins are released and analgesia is produced. An example of this is the pain when one feels the beating, which is neutralized after a time by the action that the body has done, releasing endorphins that attenuate the pain that the person feels.
Therefore, the release of endorphins also has effects on appetite modulation, on the release of sex hormones, on stress and on the immune system.
In the immune system, for example, we see its relationship with the endocrine system because the latter produces hormones between which are the endorphins and in turn, the cells of the immune system secrete endorphins.
The release of endorphins belongs to each individual, varying between individuals and others, so that even if you do, for example, the same amount of physical exercise or suffer the same pain, the amount of endorphins is not the same.
The effects of the neurotransmission system of endorphins can be seen in many processes, however we would conclude that the most relevant ones occur in the modulation of pain and at the time of Fight stress .
In addition, they have other effects on the body such as: increased secretion of gastric acid, relaxation of stomach muscles, inhibition of somatostatin, stimulation of dopamine, blockage of insulin secretion and glucagon.
Activities to increase endorphins
1. Perform physical exercise
A large number of studies demonstrate the relationship between physical exercise and well-being. In this way, the realization of vigorous physical exercise produces in the human being tranquility, happiness and euphoria.
In addition, all these sensations can last minutes and elongate hours after the person has performed intense physical exercise.
All this is due, therefore, that in the performance of physical exercise the organism, specifically the brain, produces endorphins.
In addition, some studies have shown that when physical exercise is more durable over time, the release of endorphins in the brain is greater.
2. Listen to music
To listen to a music that you like ends up influencing your State of mind . In order to produce endorphins, you must choose the music that you like best.
Classical music, for example, manages to release endorphins by influencing heart rate and breathing and producing muscle relaxation.
3. Eat favorite foods
Eating some foods, such as chocolate, also helps to generate more endorphins, which would help explain, for example, that in situations of stress there are people who feel the need to eat this type of food.
When you enjoy the food (with its texture, flavor, aroma), you are producing a sensory experience that produces endorphins.
4. Laughing
Laughter produces endorphins because it stimulates the body and produces physical and psychological well-being.
Through laughter, stress and tension are released, relaxation is regulated and the mood is improved.
Laughter influences the chemistry of the brain and the immune system, and it is not necessary to laugh to the maximum, the same smile already ends up producing endorphins.
5. Do enjoyable activities
Doing activities that produce well-being and enjoyment is also a good remedy for increasing endorphins.
6. The memory
The memory of moments and situations that produced us happiness or well-being ends up also producing positive effects on the organism.
Remembering events produces in our body effects similar to those we live in the moment, so it can be a good activity to increase endorphins.
7. Physical contact with others
The physical contact, the caresses and the hugs with the people to whom we estimate also produces an increase of the endorphins.
For example, after having sex or receiving a hug from a loved one, you can feel relaxed.
8. Contact with nature
Have contact with nature, whether in the countryside, on the beach, in the mountains?? Can increase your endorphins and feel more relaxed and with a pleasant feeling and well-being.
9. Practice relaxation or meditation
Any activity similar to relaxation, the meditation Or yoga produce an increase in endorphins and gives you well-being.
10. Give yourself a massage
Massage also ends up releasing endorphins, since well-being occurs throughout the body and nerve endings reach the brain, producing secretion.
What are the dangers of endorphins?
We were talking at the beginning of the article about those people we know who have become addicted to physical exercise. They can not spend a day without running or going to the gym.
Doing physical exercise makes us feel good, with a feeling of well-being and fullness not comparable to other activities.
It is spoken of drug when a certain substance causes dependence in the person, be it of the physical or psychological type and modifies the organism.
If we attend to it, a person who performs physical exercise because he needs and is bad when he does not, one might wonder if we would be talking about a drug.
Endorphins stimulate the circuits of reinforcement, as do exogenous opiates such as heroin, morphine, or codeine.
Drugs that are derived from opium are similar in many respects to endorphins (we call opioid drugs and opioid endorphins).
When sharing receptors, when the organism obtains drug, it diminishes by itself the production of endorphins.
The role of endorphins in drug dependence
Some researchers have proposed that perhaps the most feasible solution to the drug problem is to naturally increase the level of endorphins in the person addicted to drugs.
Models have been proposed to explain drugs and their functioning in the human body. And one of the ways to explain it is through the key theory.
This explanation argues that the human body has locks (the receptors) for the braces (endorphins). However, as we have seen, there are some external substances that can also fit with that lock, although not perfectly (drugs).
However, the more that imperfect key (the drug) is put into the lock, the more it spoils it. And as it does, the release of natural endorphins by the human body is inhibited.
When the person addicted to drugs begins to consume, it does have the effects they want (the euphoria and the sense of well-being and relaxation that occurs), however, when the lock breaks down and finally stays open, no longer Has these effects.
The human body has diminished its ability to secrete endorphins and the person addicted to drugs has less protection from stress and pain.
Although he began to use drugs for its positive effects, the addicted person consumes at this point by the unpleasant feelings that would cause him not to do.
Therefore, many researchers propose that the way to deal with addiction could be to increase endorphins, something difficult if we consider that they are produced and released internally. It is necessary to promote the conditions conducive for this to occur.
References
- Alvarez, T. (1979). Endorphins. Rev. Col Anest., 7, 259.
- Bohórques Forero, Y. A. (2012). Endorphins as an integrating concept of natural sciences and physical education. National university of Colombia.
- Braidot, N., Lotauro, S., and Álvarez, A. Neuroscience applied to the organization: smile and mirror neurons.
- Morales, F. Endorphins in the athlete: analgesic and anti-stress.
- Royal Academy of the Spanish Language. Dictionary of the Royal Academy of the Spanish Language.
- Sánchez-Mora, C. and Beyer, M. E. Endorphins: Wellbeing drugs. Review how you see.