Endorphins are "happiness hormones" from a group of peptide compounds produced by neurons in the brain. In 1975, endorphins were first isolated by scientists from extracts of the mammalian pituitary gland and hypothalamus. These substances are responsible for our mood, emotional background, reduce pain, give vivid emotions and unforgettable sensations, and even save lives in emergency situations.
What is endorphin - general information
Endorphins are naturally occurring neuropeptides of an opioid nature. They are produced naturally in the brain from beta-lipotrophin, a substance produced by the pituitary gland, and to a lesser extent in other cerebral and other structures. Often, the release of this hormone occurs in conjunction with the production of adrenaline. For example, after prolonged physical activity, it is produced to relieve muscle pain. (English source - NCBI)
Endorphins with blood are delivered to all organs and tissues.
As soon as such substances reach the nerve endings, they interact with receptors. As a result, nerve impulses enter "their" centers, where the effect of each endorphin is realized and spreads to certain zones.
The main functions of endorphin in the body
The main function of endorphins is to protect the body in a stressful situation. In pain, fear, acute stress, the amount of endorphins produced by brain neurons increases significantly. The released endorphins help the body to get out of stress without an adaptive breakdown, as well as avoid the development of diseases provoked by it (source - Wikipedia).
It is important that with an adequate response of the body to an acute stressful situation, endorphins help to get out of such situations without the development of subsequent post-traumatic conditions and diseases.
Scientists have found that the hormones of joy are actively secreted by brain cells during combat and sports. Thanks to this hormone, wounded fighters manage to ignore pain for some time, as do athletes who continue to compete even after being injured.
Even in ancient Rome, they knew that the wounds of victorious warriors heal faster than the wounds of warriors who lost a battle.
With serious illnesses with prolonged and severe pain syndrome, patients have a depletion of the brain system that generates endorphins. Another function of endorphins is to improve well-being, tissue regeneration, and preservation of youth. Also, the hormone of joy is responsible for the stability of good mood and cheerfulness.
An important property of neuropeptides is control over feelings and emotions, especially in a state of overexcitation.
Thanks to endorphins, people retain their common sense in unforeseen circumstances and determine the course of further actions with lightning speed. During stress, adrenaline is fully triggered, and endorphins neutralize its effects on organs and tissues, as if inhibiting arousal. Therefore, a person retains the necessary energy, which allows him not to "fall out" of life after emotional catastrophes and maintain physical and mental health (source in English - Sports Medicine).
How and where is endorphin produced?
In terms of their composition and functional properties, endorphins are considered opiate-like substances. The hippocampus (the limbic region of the brain) is responsible for the production of these substances, which determines the amount of endorphins produced, depending on the situation.
In addition to the brain, the following are indirectly involved in the production of the "hormone of joy":
- adrenal glands and pancreas;
- stomach;
- intestines;
- pulp of teeth;
- taste buds;
- central nervous system.
The hormone endorphin affects the onset of euphoria, the feeling of joy and delight.
How to increase hormone levels
Endorphins are responsible for positive emotions: joy, pleasure, delight and are included in the group of substances that cause euphoria. There are several simple ways to increase the amount of endorphins in your body.
Physical activity
Swimming, running, badminton, tennis, playing volleyball, basketball, football or any other active sports not only improve your well-being, but also stimulate a surge of endorphins in the blood.
Dancing, drawing, sculpting, playing musical instruments prolong the effect of the resulting splash.
Daily workouts, regular morning exercises, or jogging are great ways to get a boost of the joy hormone for the day.
Food
Some foods also stimulate the production of endorphins. Include healthy foods in your diet that will help you not to control your figure, but also to be always in good shape.
Table of foods that increase blood endorphin levels:
Product type | Name | Act |
| Vegetables | Potatoes, beets, fresh cilantro, hot chilli | Increase hormone levels, relieve anxiety, gloomy thoughts, help in stressful situations |
| Fruit | Bananas, avocado | Stimulates the production of endorphins, accelerates the release from stress |
| Berries | Strawberry | Delicious delicacy and "provocateur" in the production of endorphins |
| Chocolate | Cocoa, chocolate | Increase the amount of the hormone in the blood, but it is not recommended to abuse sweets |
| Tea | Natural antioxidant that increases the level of dopamine and endorphin in the blood |
Acupuncture and other alternative methods
In addition to sports and healthy products, there are many more methods that stimulate the production of the hormone endorphin by our body.
Acupuncture and massage
Acupuncture and massage relax muscles, fill the body with a pleasant sensation of warmth, and increase the amount of dopamine and endorphin.
Music
Listening to your favorite music raises your spirits and charges you with positive, brings up pleasant memories, stimulates the imagination due to the increased level of hormones in the blood. Playing musical instruments gives a similar effect.
Good quality sleep
A good 7-8 hour rest helps you recover, feel refreshed and refreshed thanks to the dopamine and endorphin our brains produce during sleep.
Physical activity
An active walk, a hike in the mountains, any hike to nature is a source of new impressions and a hormone of joy.
Endorphin production is stimulated by short jogging or intense climbing on a low steep slope.
Sex is a short-term physical activity. It also stimulates the production of endorphins in the pituitary gland.
Humor and laughter
Do you want to dump the burden of worries after a working day? Finish it off with reading jokes, watching humorous shows or funny videos.
Positive thinking
This method is considered by doctors and psychologists to be the best way to maintain your hormonal levels at a level. Surround yourself with pleasant communication with interesting people, enjoy the little things (a good book, a delicious dinner, daily successes), pay less attention to minor adversities.
Try to notice more positive than negative around.
New positive impressions
Traveling to new places, excursions, doing activities that you have not done before, such as paragliding, ice skating, taking part in a photo shoot, will bring new experiences to your life and provoke a surge of endorphins.
Love
People in love experience the rush of happiness hormones much more often than other people. The feeling of falling in love causes euphoria due to the production of a whole group of neurotransmitters, which includes endorphins.
Medications
This method is practiced only if the patient has the appropriate medical indications. The drugs are prescribed by a specialist - a neuropathologist or psychiatrist.
The category of physiotherapeutic methods for increasing endorphin includes TES therapy, based on electrical stimulation of the brain centers responsible for the production of endogenous opioid peptides.
The hardware effect is strictly dosed and is aimed not at hyperstimulation, but at the normalization of the level of these substances.
What threatens low hormone levels
The production of endorphins is influenced by various life situations and problems.
The most acute of them:
- loss of loved ones;
- divorce proceedings, separation from a girl / boyfriend;
- problems at work, unexpected dismissal;
- diseases of loved ones and their own diseases;
- stress due to moving, leaving for a long business trip.
In addition to stressful situations, the production of endorphins is dulled by the passion for sweets, chocolate, cocoa, alcohol, and drugs.
Signs of a lack of endorphins:
- depressed mood;
- fatigue;
- depression and sadness;
- procrastination, difficulty solving the assigned tasks;
- apathy, loss of interest in life and others;
- aggression, irritability.
Endorphin deficiency threatens with neurological diseases, aggravation of the depressive state, impaired cognitive functions, decreased concentration of attention and the level of vital activity.
Conclusion
The role of endorphins in the body can hardly be overestimated. They are not only responsible for mood, but also participate in the regulation of the work of internal organs and systems of our body. Endorphins mean a lot to the immune system: you have probably noticed that a cold passes imperceptibly if you are in a good mood, and is extremely painful if you are "limp".
Watch your emotional health, lead a healthy lifestyle. Control your emotions before they begin to control you!
