Feeling no pain!

Chilis contain Capsaicin which stimulates endorphin production...

Nature at work in our bodies

Before there was Aspirin there were Endorphins

Endorphins: (endôr´finz) n., neurotransmitters found in the brain that have pain-relieving properties similar to morphine.

There are three major types of endorphins:

beta endorphins, found primarily in the pituitary gland;
enkephalins
dynorphin

Enkephalins and dynophin are both distributed throughout the nervous system.

Endorphins interact with opiate receptor neurons to reduce the intensity of pain: among individuals afflicted with chronic pain disorders, endorphins are often found in high numbers.

Many painkilling drugs, such as morphine and codeine, act like endorphins and actually activate opiate receptors.

Besides behaving as a pain regulator, endorphins are also thought to be connected to physiological processes including euphoric feelings, appetite modulation, and the release of sex hormones.

Prolonged, continuous exercise contributes to an increased production and release of endorphins, resulting in a sense of euphoria that has been popularly labeled “runner's high.”

This class of compounds are similar in their action to opiates, attaching to some of the same receptors in the brain. They are a strong analgesic, and give a pervasive sense of happiness.

They are proteins, and due to their many different types and their complexity, I cannot list them here.

The release of endorphins lowers the blood pressure, a major indicator in heart disease, and has even been implicated in the fight against cancer.

Endorphins are best known to those who exercise a lot, and give rise to what is known as the 'runner's high'.

Their release is caused by all pain, including that caused by chillies: Thus a dose of hot chillies will cause the release of these compounds, without any permanent harm.

Some people find the 'rush' from endorphins addictive, and may exercise excessively, have many tattoos or piercings, or even deliberately cut themselves.

Chillies are by far the safest, easiest, and tastiest way to get an endorphin response.

The Research and the results

By injecting morphine into laboratory rats, researchers found that the morphine molecules fit perfectly into receptor sites in the brain and spinal cord neurons. This led to the question of why would there be these receptor sites unless the body itself produced compounds that fit also. The compounds were discovered; a natural morphine-like substance that is produced by the body. It was named endorphin, or "morphine within."

The body produces endorphins naturally. They are polypeptides, and are able to bind to the receptor sites in the brain to give relief from pain. They are also responsible for the runners high experienced by runners, they can cause a temporary loss of pain in stressful situations, and they are also released during orgasm.

Learning about endorphins makes it look like curing chronic pain is easy. Simply increase the endorphins. Yes, and no. While we as people with pain must work to help our body to manufacture more endorphins, science does not yet know if too many endorphins can be harmful.

Many people with chronic pain do not manufacture enough endorphins, and this causes two problems. One of course that your body is sending inappropriate pain messages and is not releasing endorphins to protect against pain, and also a lack of sufficient endorphins causes hypersensitivity to pain.

There are ways we can work to increase our endorphins naturally and with medicines. Endorphin research suggests that there is a link between our emotional state and the health and well-being of our immune systems. So pleasant memories, exercise, sexual activity, laughter, and even pursuing dangerous activity are all ways we can increase our levels of endorphins and therefore help our body to fight pain through it own natural chemicals.

But what are Endorphins?

• In 1975, Endorphins were discovered by Dr. John Hughes and Dr. Kosterlitz.

• It has been confirmed that Endorphins have both neurological and spinal effects.

• Twenty different types of Endorphins have been discovered in the nervous system.

• The most effective, beta-endorphin which gives the most euphoric effect to the brain, has been found to be composed of 31 amino acids.

• The word Endorphin is abbreviated from 'endogenous morphine' which means a morphine produced naturally in the body.

• Endorphins are renowned worldwide as anti-stress hormones that relieve pain naturally.

• They are secreted to remove stress or pain when you have pain or stress. In other words, they block the signal of pain to the nervous system. This being an effect that reduces the pain and causing an euphoric effect to occur.

• Unfortunately Endorphins cannot work for a long time because our body also makes enzymes, called endorphinase, which chew up the Endorphins. This is the reason why Endorphins cannot work for a long time causing people to suffer from excruciating pain as they become old.

• Endorphins, which have the most positive effect among hormone produced in the brain, make many of our organs healthy. When they are secreted continuously and spread to the whole body, the body becomes healthier. In short, Endorphins are the most precious gifts.

What are the Endorphins doing in our body?

. They enhance our immune system: When they are secreted, they activate natural killer cells (NK cells) and thereby increase our immune system. Under stress, your immunocompetence is reduced remarkably. NK cells are likely to lose their effects under stress. NK cells, which take responsibility for the immune system by killing defective cells, also have the ability to kill cancer cells.

. They block the lesion of blood vessel: As the Endorphins are secreted more and more, the shrunken blood vessels return to a normal state allowing blood to flow in a normal manner Most adult disease start form clogged blood vessels. Endorphins help to improve the circulation of blood.

. Endorphins have anti-aging effect by removing Superoxide: The oxygen coming into the body from breathing can change into a Superoxide. This is one of the biggest enemies for human causing diseases and aging. Endorphins can remove this harmful Superoxide by facilitating the production of 'SOD' (Superoxide Dismutase). This is possible because the Endorphins can keep the brain cells young and healthy. SOD is the enzyme which neutralized the toxicity of the harmful Superoxide. Therefore Endorphins have anti-aging effect.

(1). Endorphins enhance our immune system:
When endorphins are secreted, they activate natural killer cells (NK cells) and thereby increase our immune system. Under stress, your immunocompetence is reduced remarkably. NK cells are likely to lose their effect under stress. NK cells, which take responsibility for the immune system by killing defective cells, also have the ability to kill cancer cells.

(2). Endorphins block the lesion of blood vessel:
As the endorphins are secreted more and more, the shrunken blood vessels return to a normal state allowing blood to flow in a normal manner. Most adult disease start from clogged blood vessels. Endorphins help to improve the circulation of blood.

(3). Endorphins have anti-aging effects by removing Superoxide:
The oxygen coming into the body from breathing can change into a Superoxide. This is one of the biggest enemies for humans, causing diseases and aging. Endorphins can remove this harmful Superoxide by facilitating the production of 'SOD' (Superoxide Dismutase). This is possible because the endorphins can keep the brain cells young and healthy. SOD is the enzyme which neutralizes the toxicity of the harmful Superoxide. Therefore endorphins have anti-aging effects.

(4). Endorphins are anti-stress hormones:
The ability to cope with the stress is in proportion to the endorphins levels we have in our body. We will encounter great difficulties in removing our stress unless sufficient amounts of endorphins are released.

(5). Endorphins have a pain-relieving effect:
Our nervous system secretes neuro-transmitters when it receives the signal of pain. Once the endorphins are released at that moment of pain, endorphins combine with endorphin receptors on the neuron, which hinders the first neuro-transmitters from being secreted.

(6). Endorphins help improve your memory:
You can improve your memory by the help of endorphins because they can keep the brain cells young and healthy. They will help you to maintain a harmonious relationship with your colleagues. You will also be able to think creatively and have more endurance.

So Now what?

I think I'll go work out now.

Then I'll have dinner with chilies.

Followed by chocolates.

Accompanied by nice music--maybe something written by Mozart.

Then it's off to bed.

But not alone.

American Sign Language for the Letter "E" May the Endorphins be with you.