From the depths of the brain lies the pituitary gland and hypothalamus, the masterminds of the human brain. These specific portions of our mind are what produce the neurotransmitters we all know and love to block out those feelings of discomfort when withgoing a strenuous activity. May this be running your fastest mile or lifting your heaviest deadlift, the hypothalamus and pituitary glands are the creators of the morphine-like substances that your body creates. Endorphins as a word comes from the two words “endogenous”, which means inside the body, and “morphine”, which is a commonly-known pain relieving opioid. With that definition placed as a whole, we can figure out that endorphins are the body’s naturally produced pain reliever, allowing us as humans to accomplish difficult tasks with a slight pain-masking. Endorphins are also known on a higher dimension as well, being something to bring in positive emotions, better mental state, and overall better experience for you and your body. While there is a lot more to be said about the depths of endorphins, it’s good to start off your knowledge by understanding that they’re simply our ‘feel-good’ natural chemicals.
Stein, M. (2020, September 23). Endorphins: Unlocking well-being. Medium. https://medium.com/optimizebetter/endorphins-unlocking-well-being-838cdfb72cb7
To start off, I recommend getting a introduction by just searching ENDORPHINS.
A simple add in of some search engines and/or databases I explored when searching for sources for my specific research guide!
When conducting the start of my searches, these are the specific websites and articles that I found were the most helpful for a starting point. They simply got my attention and let the ball of thought begin to roll.
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2023, September 22). Stress relief from laughter? it’s no joke. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456
Mayo Clinic gives an introduction on how endorphins and serotonin bring basic stress relief for people. The title “Stress relief from laughter,” gives the knowledge that when we experience emotions such as joy, it creates chemicals within our brain to reduce stress. These chemicals are mainly known as endorphins and serotonin. Mayo Clinic continues to explain the short term benefits such as tension relief, more oxygen intake, and increased brain activity. This source provides simple information in terms that are easy to understand, but professional. It gives a simple presentation with organized bulleted points, making it easy to analyze as well.
Wikimedia Foundation. (2024, April 30). Runner’s High. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runner%27s_high
Wikipedia gives a small analysis of the euphoric feeling someone has when their brain produces tons of endorphins during physical activity. This feeling, typically known as ‘runner's high’ comes from very intense activity. When the brain sees that the body is withgoing physical pain and/or stress, it releases endorphins. These endorphins are a chemical that acts as a pain reliever for the mind and body. It’s naturally made by chemicals in your body to reduce pain or stress that is occurring at the moment. This relatively short article provides a great amount of information to provide yet another introduction on endorphins and their purpose. It gives a short introduction with many references to continue your searches in a very organized, condensed manner.
Pluchino, N., Luisi, M., Lenzi, E., Centofanti, M., Begliuomini, S., Freschi, L., Ninni, F., & Genazzani, A. R. (2006). Progesterone and progestins: Effects on brain, allopregnanolone and β-endorphin. Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 102(1), 205–213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsbmb.2006.09.023 Accessed 16 April 2024.
Another article published by Science Direct gives a clinical explanation on the role that both progesterone and synthetic progestins play when it comes to the activity within our brains. This includes reacting to stimulating activities as well as daily functions that we must accomplish throughout our days and/or lives. As the article continues, it explains the effects that these hormones have on our body, specifically our functions and nervous system. The activity that endorphins and other hormones collectively create allows people to function within daily needs. Connecting progesterone and progestins to endorphins, this article releases information on how these hormones work together to ensure positive reactions and emotions from our brains and bodies. Information in this article is very easy to read and in an organized manner where you can find information promptly despite the length of the writing.
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