ENDORPHINS: HAPPY HORMONE!

Transcription

1 ENDORPHINS: HAPPY HORMONE! By Able Huten INTRODUCTION Happiness is something that everyone longs for. However, sadly, not everyone has it. Happiness is not a tangible thing that one can buy or hire; if it is so, billionaires and millionaires would be the happiest persons on this planet earth. The truth is, happiness is more than just having a fat bank balance, perfect looks or even a perfect relationship. Happiness comes from within. This is why, if you truly want to be happy, you need to work on yourself, first. Happiness could be found in simple silly things and activities; and it is not only an emotional or spiritual issue, but also a physiological issue. And though there are also many factors responsible for bringing happiness in humans, in this article, I would like to present to you the physiological aspect of happiness. ENDORPHINS Endorphins are hormones that allow the body to feel calm and relaxed. They are also commonly known as happy hormone, simply because it makes you feel calm, relaxed and pleasurable. It is the body s natural medication, which relieves tension and helps us sleep better. Endorphins are usually produced as a response to pain, fear or stress. In addition to decreased feelings of pain, secretion of endorphins leads to feelings of euphoria, modulation of appetite, release of sex hormones, and enhancement of the immune response. With high endorphin levels, we feel less pain and fewer negative effects of stress. Chemically, endorphins are neurotransmitters, chemicals that pass along signals from one neuron to the next. Neurotransmitters play a key role in the function of the central nervous system (CNS) and can either prompt or suppress the further signaling of nearby neurons. Endorphins Able Huten Endorphins: Happy Hormones! 1

2 consist of two parts: endo and orphin. These are short forms of the words endogenous and morphine, intended to mean "a morphine-like substance originating from within the body." They originate in various parts of your body: the pituitary gland, spinal cord and throughout other parts of brain and nervous system. And they interact mainly with receptors in cells found in regions of the brain responsible for blocking pain and controlling emotion. There are 20 different kinds of endorphins. The three most common are beta-endorphins, enkephalins and dynorphins. Out of the three, beta-endorphins, are stronger than morphine and have been shown to play a part in everything from alcoholism to diabetes to aging of the brain. How do endorphins make us happy? The majority of human s emotions are process by limbic system in the brain. This system includes the hypothalamus, the region that handles a range of functions such as breathing, hunger, emotional response, sexual satisfaction etc. The limbic system is also rich with opioid receptors. Now, when endorphins reach the opioid receptors of the highly emotional limbic system, and when everything is working normally, we experience pleasure and a sense of satisfaction. In this way, endorphins interact with the opiate receptors to reduce our perception of pain and act similarly to drugs such as morphine and codeine. However, in contrast to the opiate drugs (Heroin), activation of the opiate receptors by the body s endorphins does not lead to addiction or dependence. Why Aren't Endorphins Addictive? When endorphins lock into the opioid receptors, they are almost immediately broken down by enzymes, allowing them to be recycled and reused down the road. However, when similarly shaped but chemically different opiates lock into these same receptors, they are resistant to the enzymes and continue reactivating the receptors over and over, extending the "high" and increasing euphoric feelings, as well as the likelihood of dependence. WHAT TRIGGERS ENDORPHINS? Some of the major food products and activities that trigger endorphins are: 1. Chocolate: Even a single bar of chocolate causes the release of endorphins. Whenever you feel down, stop thinking about the weight and grab a chocolate to lift up your mood and body. This is one of the reasons that people often crave for chocolate in stress and associate happy feelings with it. They also consist of antioxidants, which protects the body from aging. Able Huten Endorphins: Happy Hormones! 2

3 2. Chillies Good news for most of the Northeast People! The substances that give chilli peppers their spicy intensity when eaten or applied topically are called capsaicins (8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide) and several related chemicals, collectively called capsaicinoids. When consumed, capsaicinoids bind with pain receptors in the mouth and throat that are responsible for sensing heat. Once activated by the capsaicinoids, these receptors send a message to the brain that the person has consumed something hot. The brain responds to the burning sensation by raising the heart rate, increasing perspiration and release of endorphins. 3. Exercise Exercise stimulates endorphin production as well, but for a different reason. You're probably familiar with the term "runner's high," which refers to the euphoric feeling one sometimes gets when exercising. Researchers have found that light-to-moderate weight training or cardiovascular exercise doesn't produce endorphins, only heavy weights or training that incorporates sprinting or other anaerobic exertion. When your body crosses over from an aerobic state (with oxygen) to an anaerobic state (without oxygen), it's suddenly operating without enough oxygen to satisfy the muscles and cells screaming out for it. This is when the "runner's high" occurs. 4. Meditation Mediation acts against your fight or flight hormones (cortisol) and lowers your heart rate, creating a calming sensation in your body. This triggers the hypothalamus in the brain to produce and secret beta endorphins, which are the key to the lingering calmness you feel after your meditation. Regular practice of meditation can help you lower your blood pressure and cholesterol. Examples: Tai chi, Pilates and yoga are believed to trigger endorphins. 5. Alcohol Light to moderate drinking stimulates endorphins, but heavy drinking doesn't. Drugs that block the attachment of endorphins to receptors have been shown to eliminate cravings in alcoholics. 6. Massage During massage, large amounts of endorphins are released into the bloodstream explaining the slightly groggy effect, lightheaded, sense of well-being. 7. Music Researchers have found that listening to certain music causes biochemical changes in the brain. They have even identified which songs are best for boosting endorphins. Abba's "Dancing Queen" was high on the list along with "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin. Able Huten Endorphins: Happy Hormones! 3

4 8. Smile Research has reported that smiling releases endorphins, which are natural pain relievers, along with serotonin, which is also associated with feel good properties. Duchenne smiles are the only type of smile that creates these positive effects. These smiles engage the muscles in the mouth, cheeks, and eyes and are considered to be genuine smiles. 9. Walk Barefoot Studies have found that walking barefoot (on a safe surface) helps your body release those happy chemicals (endorphins) into your system, reduce your stress levels, and boost enjoyment, MOOD and overall health. And if you are doing so with MINDFUL movement and presence, paying attention to the way your body is connecting to the ground, you are receiving a double dose of wellness in your system that can help the rest of your day to be filled with more peace, joy and purpose as you continue to walk. 11. Socialize When you simply interact with other humans, endorphins will be released by your body. This is why healthy social interactions are essential for a person s health and well-being. 12. Kissing Not to undermine kissing. Kissing is good, if you stick to kissing the same person. If not, the widespread of other germs and viruses can be uncanny. Flu viruses can be spread through the sharing of saliva. Though kissing releases endorphins, it is better you try the other ways without risking yourself. REFERENCES Wikipedia Kirsti A. Dyer, MD, MS, CWS, Medical Wellness Archives Chocolate: Good for the Mind, Body & Spirit 2006: Volume 3, Number 1 Tom Scheve, Is there a link between exercise and happiness? Endorphins 101: A Guide to Natural Euphoria Sillicon Valley Massage Therapy Group, Newsletter, 4 th April, 2013 Able Huten Endorphins: Happy Hormones! 4

5 Sarah B. Weir, Shine Senior Writer Healthy Living Thu, Jan 26, 2012: How Endorphins Work Karen Kleiman, MSW, LCSW, This Isn't What I Expected, Published on July 31, Dr. Karin, Get Happy: Go Barefoot! Glutted, Rob S, Jack Herrick, Zoe Volt and 16 others, How to Release Endorphins Dr. Joseph Mercola (Picture) 22 Things Happy People Do Differently, April 08, Able Huten Endorphins: Happy Hormones! 5