Endorphins are a class of neurotransmitters produced by the body and used internally as a pain- killer.
This class of compounds are similar in their action to pain killers/ opiates, attaching to some of the same receptors in the brain. Endorphins act as analgesics, which means they diminish the perception of pain and give a pervasive sense of happiness.
They also act as sedatives. They are manufactured in the brain, spinal cord, and many other parts of body and are released in response to brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. The neuron receptors endorphins bind to are the same ones that bind some pain medicines. However, unlike with morphine, the activation of these receptors by the body’s endorphins does not lead to addiction or dependence.
Factor that boost endorphin release
Endorphins are produced and released from the pituitary gland. They are released during continuous exercise, fear, love, music, chocolates eating, laughter, sex, orgasm etc.
Exercise: Endorphins are best known to those who exercise a lot, and give rise to what is known as the ‘runner’s high’. As we do continuous exercise for more than 30 minutes endorphins are released. Individuals who had an attack before are always advised to do regular exercise, the reason for this is during exercise endorphin is released and it protects the heart from an attack. And if, does the heart attack comes, instead of getting frightened, it gives the patient the strength to fight against it for a long time till he is hospitalized and becomes healthy very soon. There is a very rare possibility that a man/woman who is continuously exercising has a second attack. A positive attitude is generated by the release of these hormones.
Stress: When there is high stress in our mind, this stress stimulates the release of endorphin hormones which calms the brain in stress situation and brings the feeling of happiness.
Pain: During an accident or injury our body is in high pain and these signals of pain tend to release the endorphins from the pituitary gland. Pain may be of any kind it initiates the release of endorphins. During acupuncture when needles are inserted at prefixed points it causes pain and release pain signals which stimulates pituitary gland to release endorphins
Meditation: Endorphin seems to be released during meditation and laughter
Food-related: Consumption of chocolate, peppers, green chillies, spicy food also produce release of endorphins. Thus a dose of hot chillies will cause the release of these compounds, without any permanent harm.
The release of endorphins lowers the blood pressure, a major indicator in heart disease, and has even been implicated in the fight against cancer.
Laughter: Now-a-days there are laughter clubs which involves people who gather in the morning and do the laughing exercise by laughing loudly. Laughter releases the endorphin which does not relieve pain but keeps you happy and increases the power of healing process and keeps you healthy.
Music is heard by people from decades and decades; this music releases endorphins in the blood and changes the mood.
Endorphin also protects us from stress, hypertension, depression and heart attacks. Patients suffering from anxiety are often given oral endorphin containing drugs or tablets. In anxiety there is a feeling of worry, nervousness, unhappy mood; fear of death and all these negative feelings gets converted after taking these pills containing endorphin. By taking these tablets patients feel more healthy and comfortable, will power increases and there is a feeling of wellbeing.
It is in our hands to release endorphin where and when we need. This absolutely natural therapy is free of side effects. So why should we rely on external factors to be happy when happiness lies within.
References:
http://psrcentre.org/images/extraimages/41.%201211916.pdf
http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/exercise-depression
http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/chilli/endorphins.htm
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