Types of Endorphins and other facts about them

What are they?
How they work
Types
Endorphins vs. dopamine
Endorphins and mental health
Recap
Endorphins are chemicals produced naturally in the body that can help boost mood and relieve pain.

You know that rush you get after a long run? In that moment, your stress fades away and you feel happy, strong, and ready to take on the world. There’s a reason why they call it “the runner’s high.”

This feeling is the result of endorphins being released. Other activities such as eating dark chocolate, having sex, and even having a good laugh can trigger the release of endorphins.

But are there different types of endorphins based on when they’re released? Are the endorphins released after an exercise the same as the ones released after you eat a piece of chocolate? Let’s find out.

What are endorphins?

The term endorphin comes from the words “endogenous” (produced within the body) and “morphine” (an opiate pain reliever).

Produced by the pituitary glandTrusted Source and the central nervous system, endorphins are a group of peptides that act on the opiate receptors in your brain. Their main function is to increase pleasure and reduce pain.

They act as neurotransmitters since they send messages to your brain, but they’re also considered hormones since they are released into the bloodstream and can produce physiological changes in parts of the body.

The purpose of endorphins and how they function

Endorphins play an active role in our body’s reward circuits. During activities — such as eating, drinking, exercising, and having sex — endorphins are released.

They’re also released during an injury or stress to help minimize feelings of pain and discomfort.

This explains why an injury usually feels worse hours later. When the injury happens, your body works hard to keep you safe and sends a surge of endorphins to protect you from experiencing the full extent of the pain.

Endorphins are also naturally released when a person is in labor to help manage the pain of childbirth.

What are the different types of endorphins?

While there are 20 different types of endorphins, the ones that are most frequently studied are known as beta-endorphinsTrusted Source. These are the endorphins that boost well-being and provide pain relief.

Two other endorphins that are often mentioned in researchTrusted Source are gamma-endorphins and alpha-endorphins. It was once believed that gamma-endorphins could reduce symptoms of psychosis in people with schizophrenia. However, later researchTrusted Source suggests gamma-endorphins were no more effective than placebo.

Endorphins vs. dopamine

Although endorphins and dopamine are involved in the reward circuit of the brain, each one serves a different purpose.

Endorphins are neurotransmitters that are produced in one small region of the brain — the pituitary gland — and are released in specific situations that trigger intense pain.

Dopamine, on the other hand, is a neurotransmitter that’s found extensively in areas of the brain and serves multiple functions, such as boosting mood, motivation, and sustained attention. The release of dopamine is what motivates you to complete a task.

Imagine you’re running a race. Endorphins are the quick hit of pleasure you get during the race, whereas dopamine happens at the finish line. It stays in your system longer. Both work together to improve your overall well-being.

Endorphins and mental health

There’s a strong connection between endorphins and mental health. Endorphins are a key factor in maintaining a positive state of mind.

In general, if your body doesn’t produce enough endorphins, you may experience mood disorders, such as depression or anxiety.

Along with the physical health benefits, there are several mental health benefits of endorphins.

They reduce stress, anxiety, and depression

As a natural mood booster, endorphins have an antidepressive effect.

“When endorphin levels are high, we feel happier, more energetic, and more optimistic,” says Dr. Natalie Bernstein, a psychologist and mental health coach in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

“When they are low, we may feel sad, anxious, tired, and even depressed.”

They increase self-esteem

When endorphins are flowing, our mood is up and we’re feeling good. This has a positive ripple effect on our self-esteem.

“We have a more positive outlook on life and our relationships with ourselves and those around us improve,” Bernstein explains. “Simply put, we like ourselves and we play better with others.”

Want a quick way to boost your endorphins and your self-esteem? Get moving, Bernstein advises.

“Exercise is one of the quickest ways to boost endorphins,” Bernstein adds. “When we exercise, we feel more confident about our bodies, which increases self-esteem.”

They sharpen memory, mental acuity, and concentration

“Difficulty thinking or making decisions can be a common symptom of many mental health conditions such as trauma, depression, anxiety, and more,” says Joyce Marter, a licensed psychologist and author of “The Financial Mindset Fix: A Mental Fitness Program for an Abundant Life” in Evanston, Illinois.

“Endorphins are a natural antidote to these symptoms, which can impact job performance and relationships or lead to accidents or injury,” says Marter.

Marter adds, “In my practice and training seminars, I love teaching mindfulness practices such as deep breathing, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation because these are simple exercises that are free, don’t require a lot of time, and are empirically supported to increase endorphins.”

They improve sleep

According to Marter, “There’s a strong interconnection between sleep and mental health. Many mental health conditions can negatively impact sleep, and poor sleep can exacerbate mental health symptoms.”

She adds, “If you find it difficult to create time for exercise to increase endorphins, remember that other practices such as music therapy, art therapy, and aromatherapy also cause a rise in endorphins.
Source: https://psychcentral.com/health/types-of-endorphins?slot_pos=article_1&utm_source=Sailthru%20Email&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=weekly&utm_content=2022-06-15&apid=40209828&rvid=f5d09a1246f90fe2df046423fb2995e2bc230d511428772dc6bd1d2c6121b4dd