Endorphins

As known as neurotransmitters, endorphins are among the brain chemicals that function to transmit electrical signals within the nervous system. These can be found in the pituitary gland, as well as other parts of the brain, or are distributed throughout the nervous system. There are at least twenty types of endorphins that have been demonstrated in humans. Both pain and stress are the most common factors to the release of endorphins; which interact with the opiate receptors in the brain to reduce the perception of pain and act like a drug, such as morphine. However on the contrary to morphine, the activation of the opiate receptors by the body's endorphins does not lead for dependence or addiction. Endorphins do not only decrease the feelings of pain but also lead to release of sex hormones, feelings of euphoria, and modulation of appetite. Being able to feel fewer negative effects of stress and pain is due to the high levels of endorphins. The release of these varies among every individual and no two people produce the same level of endorphins. Food can play a role on the secretion of endorphins in people. Activities such as meditation, exercise, massage therapy, and sex can trigger the levels of endorphins. Though endorphins minimize the pain or stress we feel it can also be responsible for certain forms of mental illnesses such as OCD. Clinical depression an sudden shifts in emotions are linked to problems with endorphin production or the binding process of these. Gathering this information about endorphins and what they do has put a much more importance on them because they help us in our everyday lives. If it was not for these the pain and stress would be unbearable.