How Do Endorphins Relieve Pain?
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What are endorphins?
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The human body's natural pain killers - endorphins - are likened to codeine or morphine for the reaction they generate within the body. Endorphins not only relieve pain but bring about a temporary sense of well-being.
Endorphins are a cluster of neurotransmitters that cause a reaction in the opiate receptors within the human body which block signals indicating pain or stress to the brain thus allowing for an overall analgesic effect. There are approximately 20 types of endorphins found within the body.
How do endorphins work?
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When a person experiences pain or stress, neurotransmitters are signaled. Located throughout the body, these neurotransmitters relay positive and negative message responses to the brain through the spinal cord. Made up of amino acids, when released, endorphins initiate a reactionary response within the opiate receptors in the body, causing an interruption in the messages normally sent to the brain. Instead of feeling the expected pain or stress, which normally accompanies an injury or traumatic event, one would experience a temporary euphoric sense or lack of pain.
Although technically endorphins act as opiates within the system, they do not carry with them any of the negative or harmful side effects of an opiate drug. Endorphins are non-addictive and do not produce any type of withdrawal symptoms after their effect has worn off.
Produced by the pituitary gland, beta-endorphins are thought to generate the strongest amount of pain relief and the greatest euphoric response within a person, and are responsible for what seems to be an inexplicable lack of pain, which seems to often occur, in the event of trauma. This is the reason that people who have sustained a grave injury are often able to endure until help arrives or to accomplish a heroic feat in saving themselves or others.
While it is a known medical fact that the release of endorphins is a neurochemical reaction, these reactions (both the triggers and the level of response) differ from person to person in their intensity and the duration of time in which their effects are felt.
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Pain is the most widely accepted and known trigger of an endorphin reaction, but it should be noted that there also some types of food and stimulus that elicit a similar physical response. For example, chocolate has been known to cause a release of endorphins, as have chili peppers. Laughter also generates production. A runner's high or the euphoria felt after strenuous exercise is known to be a result of endorphins. Sun and the tactile touch of massage therapy are known contributors, as well.
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References
- Photo Credit Bob Gherardi
