Endorphin Release Varies In Every Person
The amount of endorphins as well as the things that trigger its production may differ from one person to another. The “opiate” effect that you get from the production of endorphins serves as your body’s reward system.
This goes to say that if two people are exercising and are expected to suffer from the same degree of pain may not be able to produce the same amount of endorphins. Even if you do not indulge in athletics and any physical activities there are many other things that can trigger endorphin secretion in your body. These can include massage therapy and acupuncture.
You will know when you feel good!
The term endorphin is derived from the two words “endo” and “orphin” which also means a “morphine-like substance that originates inside the body”. For example exercise leads to an “endorphin rush” which is why it feels so good!
Different Functions of Endorphins
Endorphins are neurotransmitters that are responsible for sending signals from one neuron to another. Neurotransmitters such as endorphins can either suppress or prompt the sending of messages to the different nearby neurons. This is the reason why endorphins and other neurotransmitters are very much important for the proper functioning of the central nervous system.
Besides decreased feelings of pain, “endorphin release” is also associated with feelings of euphoria, appetite regulation, secretion of sex hormones and improvement of immune response. These endorphins may originate from any parts of your body such as your spinal cord, pituitary gland and many other areas of your entire nervous system.
Endorphins are known for their ability to interact with several cell receptors within the brain to enable the blocking of pain signals and controlling of emotions. Experts reveal that a person’s body has at least twenty kinds of endorphins.
One specific kind of endorphins called “beta-endorphins” is known to provide people with an effect that is stronger than morphine.
Endorphins as Painkillers
Endorphins are commonly associated with that “feel-good” experience that people go through when being exposed to certain stimuli such as continuous exercise. These endorphins resemble opiates as they produce that analgesic effect which leads to decreased feelings of pain.
Who hasn’t felt pain when exercising, yet it feels good that you have?
In other words, endorphins are natural pain relievers. For example, when a person experiences pain the hypothalamus will immediately call for endorphins and as a response all the cells in the body that contain it will heed such call. When these endorphins bind into special receptor cells known as opioid receptors the transmission of pain signals will then be blocked while that euphoric feeling is also produced.
Getting An Endorphin Rush
An endorphin rush can also be experienced when a person is talking to a stranger, after eating a sumptuous meal or while running on a treadmill.
Endorphins are also responsible for that comforting feeling you experience whenever you eat chocolates during stressful moments. A lot of experts believe that these feelings of pleasure that you experience from an endorphin rush exist to let you know that you already have had enough of a good thing.
As you can see your endorphins affect how you feel, affect your moods and affect your anxiety. This is why exercise is so good to anxiety sufferers…so start walking and get that endorphin rush!
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