{"id":16228,"date":"2013-01-15T14:02:00","date_gmt":"2013-01-15T22:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/?page_id=16228"},"modified":"2019-04-26T16:24:55","modified_gmt":"2019-04-26T23:24:55","slug":"endorphins","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/endorphins\/","title":{"rendered":"Endorphins"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ThreeEndorphins<\/strong> are chemicals the body releases when it is under stress or in pain. Endorphins can help relieve pain, reduce emotional stress<\/a>, and offer a sense of well-being. Research suggests endorphin levels may be a factor in depression, fibromyalgia, and other issues.<\/p>\n

What are Endorphins?<\/h2>\n

Endorphins are primarily created in the hypothalamus<\/a> and pituitary gland. They act as neurotransmitters<\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u201dchemicals that help to carry signals across a nerve synapse. They are also considered hormones<\/a> since they can carry messages throughout the nervous system, not just the brain.<\/p>\n

There are over 20 types of endorphins in humans. Beta-endorphins are the most frequently studied, as they contribute to pain relief and well-being. The pain relief from beta-endorphins is even greater than morphine. Researchers used to believe gamma-endorphins could reduce psychotic symptoms. However, later research found that the only link between gamma-endorphins and psychosis was a placebo effect<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Endorphins are not to be confused with dopamine<\/a>, another neurotransmitter linked to happiness. In general, dopamine creates happiness after a person has accomplished a goal. Endorphins act to relieve pain, although they do play an indirect role in motivation. For instance, if you are a runner, endorphins can reduce the ache of your muscles. They can also act in the reward-related areas of your brain, prompting your body to release dopamine. Technically it is the dopamine that produces the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153runner\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s high”. Endorphins merely tell the body when to start getting that \u00e2\u20ac\u0153high”.<\/p>\n

How Endorphins Function<\/h2>\n

There are many things that can strain our bodies. Pain is one. Vigorous exercise or sex<\/a> can push our bodies too, even if they aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t painful. In response to this stress, a body will relieve itself by producing endorphins (pain-killing chemicals).<\/p>\n

There are several theories about why our bodies release endorphins. The most common one is that pain relief helps us survive. For example, if you sprain your ankle, the nerves in your leg will send pain signals to your spine and brain<\/a>. The pain tells you that you need to pay attention to your ankle and stop using it. But your brain doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need to hear this message during the entire month your ankle is healing. So your body releases endorphins, which block the nerve cells in charge of receiving the pain signals, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153muting\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the pain. This allows you to function in day-to-day life without being distracted.<\/p>\n

How to Release Endorphins<\/h2>\n

Endorphins are most commonly associated with exercise. How much exercise an individual needs to get a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153runner\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s high\u00e2\u20ac\u009d varies from person to person. In general, high-intensity workouts produce more endorphins than moderate exercise does.<\/p>\n

CDC recommends adults engage in either 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise a week or 75 minutes of intense aerobic exercise a week. Moderate exercise includes activities such as swimming or brisk walking. You can get intense exercise through jogging, dancing, rock-climbing, etc.<\/p>\n

Research shows exercise isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t the only way to release endorphins. You can also boost endorphins through:<\/p>\n