Do you remember that feeling of relief and happiness that comes from a good workout, a laugh with a friend, or a delicious meal? The main reason for that 'feel-good' feeling is a wonderful chemical that is produced inside our bodies. Some call these "happy hormones." Today we are talking about these wonderful chemical messengers, endorphins.
What are endorphins, simply put?
Simply put, endorphins are chemicals (hormones) that your body releases when you feel pain or stress. They are like our own natural painkillers. They are also released during pleasurable moments, such as when you exercise, get a massage, eat a delicious meal, or have sex. Their main function is to reduce pain, reduce stress, and make us feel good.
These endorphins are produced in two very important parts of our brain , the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus . Endorphins are a type of neurotransmitter. That is, a 'messenger' that carries messages back and forth through our nervous system. These create this 'feel-good' feeling by connecting to the pleasure and satisfaction centers (opioid receptors) in the brain.
The word "endorphin" is also a very interesting one. It's a combination of the words "endogenous," which means "occurring within the body," and "morphine," which means a powerful painkiller. That means endorphins are like natural morphine produced by the body itself .
There are actually more than 20 types of endorphins in our body. Of these , beta-endorphins are the ones that mainly help in controlling stress and pain. Surprisingly, the pain-relieving properties of these beta-endorphins are even stronger than morphine.
What happens to our bodies from endorphins?
Imagine that you are injured somewhere. Then the pain signal travels along the nerves to the brain. At that moment, endorphins come and block the nerve cells that are supposed to receive the pain signal. It's like closing a door. Then we feel less pain.
This is our body's natural defense mechanism. In times like an emergency, these endorphins help us to function despite the pain. Because we naturally try to get rid of pain, we are tempted to repeat something that makes us feel good. That's why the pleasure of exercising makes us want to exercise again.
What are the benefits of producing more endorphins?
There are many benefits that endorphins provide to us. Here are some of the main benefits that research has found.
| Benefit | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Reducing symptoms of depression | The endorphins produced during exercise help reduce symptoms of depression, such as stress and sadness. That's why exercise is said to be good for mental health. |
| Stress and Anxiety Management | When endorphin levels increase, the levels of hormones that cause stress and anxiety decrease. You feel a great sense of relief. |
| Increasing self-confidence and self-esteem | Endorphins make us feel good about ourselves. This increases self-confidence and builds good self-esteem. |
| Helping to lose weight | Research has found that the release of endorphins controls our appetite, which can help control overeating. |
| Reducing the pain of childbirth | During childbirth, the body naturally releases high levels of endorphins, which give the mother great strength to endure the pain of childbirth. |
What do we need to do to produce endorphins?
One of the easiest and best ways to release endorphins is to exercise.. The more you exercise, the more endorphins your body produces. You've probably heard of the "runner's high" that runners get. That's the feeling of euphoria and relief that comes from running. Endorphins are the reason for this. But you don't have to run to experience this feeling. There are many other ways to do it.
Besides exercise, here are some other ways to release endorphins.
- Power walking
- Swimming
- Dancing
- Hiking
- Sex
- Acupuncture
- Massage
- Eating delicious foods - especially spicy foods and dark chocolate.
- Laughing - Laughing with friends isn't just a hobby, it's medicine.
- Meditation
- Creating art
- Listening to music
- Volunteering
Simply put, any healthy activity that brings you joy and satisfaction can boost your endorphin levels.
What happens if endorphin levels decrease?
Some people do not produce enough endorphins in their bodies for various reasons. We call this condition endorphin deficiency . There are several symptoms of this.
- Depression: Feeling sad and hopeless all the time.
- Anxiety: Constantly experiencing unreasonable fear and restlessness.
- Body aches and pains: Body aches for no particular reason.
- Addiction: The tendency to become easily addicted to something.
- Sleep issues: Inability to fall asleep or wake up from sleep.
- Impulsive actions: Acting on impulse, without thinking about the consequences.
Health problems that may arise due to endorphin deficiency
If endorphin deficiency persists, it can lead to further health problems.
1. Fibromyalgia: This is a condition that causes chronic pain throughout the body. It has been found that these patients have low endorphin levels.
2. Self-harm: Some people, when they are unable to cope with stress, try to self-harm. This causes a temporary release of endorphins, which gives them a temporary sense of relief from the pain. However, this is very dangerous and unhealthy.
3.Exercise addiction: Some people become addicted to the feeling of a "runner's high" and exercise for hours a day, to the point where their bodies can't handle it. This is also a form of addiction.
The difference between endorphins, dopamine and serotonin
Two other names we often hear when talking about "happy hormones" are Dopamine and Serotonin. While all three make us feel good, they work differently.
- Endorphins and Dopamine: Endorphins are painkillers . Dopamine is like a reward and a motivation . Imagine, when you run, your legs hurt. Then endorphins come in and reduce that pain. Along with that process, dopamine is released, giving you that happy feeling called a "runner's high." That dopamine is what makes you want to run again. Simply put, endorphins stop the pain, and dopamine motivates you to do the same thing again.
- Endorphins and Serotonin: Endorphins mainly respond to pain and stress. But serotonin is like a mood stabilizer . That is, serotonin helps keep our mind calm and in a good mood throughout the day. If endorphins are like an ambulance that comes to an emergency, serotonin is like a traffic police officer who sends vehicles on the road in an orderly manner throughout the day.
When should I see a doctor?
If you continue to have the symptoms of endorphin deficiency mentioned earlier, especially if you experience any of the following conditions, you should definitely talk to your doctor or therapist about it.
Please do not ignore these symptoms. These could be signs your body is giving you. Seeking medical advice can help you get the right help you need.
When you should see a doctor immediately:
- If you have symptoms of depression (feeling sad all the time, losing interest in anything, feeling hopeless).
- If you suspect or have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia .
- If you feel like you are addicted to exercise (exercising for hours a day, feeling very angry or sad if you miss exercise).
- If you have thoughts of harming yourself or if you do so.
Endorphins are essential chemicals in our bodies that help control pain and stress, as well as boost our mood. We can increase these endorphin levels by taking up a new sport, eating spicy food, laughing our hearts out, or watching a funny movie. But if you have any doubts or concerns about your endorphin levels, don't hesitate to see a doctor.
Take-Home Message
- Endorphins are natural painkillers and 'feel-good' chemicals produced by our own bodies.
- Simple things like exercise, laughter, good food, music, and meditation can naturally increase your endorphin levels.
- Low endorphin levels can lead to conditions such as depression, anxiety, and chronic pain.
- If you have chronic pain, symptoms of depression, or thoughts of harming yourself, don't be ashamed or afraid to see your doctor right away.
- Your mental and physical well-being are interconnected, and endorphins are essential for keeping both well.
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