We'll break down what they are and how to increase them naturally. A new study looking into adverse effects from medication use found that anticoagulants and diabetes agents send a significant amount of adults ages 65…. We all experience pain. Fortunately, there are many ways to manage pain, whether that means treating the source of the pain or coping with the pain….
Federal officials have set up locations across the country on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day for people go properly dispose of their old…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Why Do We Need Endorphins? Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D. What is the purpose of endorphins?
What are the benefits of endorphins? What are the symptoms of endorphin deficiency? How to naturally boost endorphins. The takeaway. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Daniel Bubnis, M. Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, Ph. Pain relief basics. When you have sexual intercourse, your body also releases endorphins. Create or Listen to Music. Music isn't just for entertainment; it can improve your well-being and raise your endorphins. Create Art.
Just as with creating music, creating art can be helpful for raising your endorphins. If you don't wish to go for a run or do a regular workout, simply dancing around your house can also raise your endorphins. Receive Acupuncture. Get In a Good Laugh. Do you like to laugh? There's probably a good reason for that. Eat Spicy Food. Did you know that eating spicy food can raise your endorphins?
Just like acupuncture, massage can also help to raise your endorphins. This doesn't even have to be a professional massage; you could ask your partner to give you a massage, invest in a massage chair, or use a portable massager to relax tense muscles. Use Aromatherapy. Have you ever tried aromatherapy? It can be as simple as using essential oils while cleaning or running a diffuser to add scent to your environment, both of which can help to raise your endorphins.
Watch a TV Drama Show. If you're not in the mood to laugh, you could also consider watching a TV drama. Engage in meditation. Have you tried meditation? All you need is 20 minutes and a Youtube video to get started.
Do volunteer work. When you do volunteer work, you are not only doing good for others but also boosting your endorphins.
Spend time with friends. Try to avoid isolation if you are feeling like your endorphins are low. Spending time with friends can help to boost your well-being. What is the difference between endorphins and dopamine in your brain? While endorphins are neurotransmitters that help you to cope with pain and stress, dopamine is a mood-boosting neurotransmitter that is released after you reach a goal.
In this way, dopamine is involved in the reward circuit in your brain and helps to motivate you toward tasks in contrast, low dopamine would also be de-motivating. Higher endorphins can actually lead to higher dopamine production; in this way, endorphins and dopamine are not mutually exclusive but are actually connected in the system that promotes action toward rewards and the good feelings that result. In other words, you might feel motivated to participate in a marathon because of your dopamine reward system, which is further reinforced by the endorphins that are released during the actual act of participating in the race.
In this way, endorphins are the quicker-acting "feelings" while dopamine is the longer-acting afterglow. What are the different types of endorphins?
There are actually 20 different types of endorphins that have been identified. However, the type of endorphins that have been the subject of the most research are known as "beta-endorphins.
These are the endorphins that contribute to well-being and pain relief and that have a similar effect to the pain drug morphine. Without these beta-endorphins, you would be less able to cope with stress and pain. What about the difference between endorphins and opioid drugs?
Opioid drugs include morphine and fentanyl. These opioid drugs work on the same pain receptors that are involved in the endorphin system in your brain. When you take morphine or fentanyl, your brain then releases more dopamine. However, if you take these drugs over a long period of time, then it becomes accustomed to the higher level of dopamine and requires more of the drug in order for you to feel the same level of well-being.
In other words, your brain gets used to that amount of dopamine and it no longer works. You need more of the drug to feel the same level of happiness. In addition, becoming addicted to opioid medication can leave a person emotionally and socially withdrawn. This is because morphine and other medications can replace the need to find other ways to experience the natural reward system in your brain.
You might stop socializing because the medication has replaced your need to form social bonds. In fact, when people must stop taking morphine or are trying to stop a drug like heroin, the withdrawal effects can be the same as someone going through grief: feelings of depression, irritability, periods of crying, loss of appetite, and not being able to sleep.
On the other hand, your natural endorphins generally will not reach this same level of saturation to the point that you need more of the same e. However, there is a risk of becoming addicted to an endorphin rush and seeking out unhealthy ways to achieve this.
Is it possible to become addicted to the feelings of an endorphin rush? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Below are some examples of how this can happen. Self Harm. Persons who self-harm often do this because of the endorphin rush that they experience after hurting themselves.
Natural endorphins work similarly to opioid pain relievers, but their results may not be as dramatic. The following activities show promise as ways to naturally increase endorphins. However, endorphin levels vary between individuals, so results will also vary. However, measuring endorphins in humans was not possible until , when new imaging technology became available. They found an increase in the release of endorphins after exercise. As exercise boosts mood and increases endorphins, some medical professionals prescribe regular exercise as a treatment for mild to moderate depression and anxiety.
Exercise can be used safely in conjunction with other treatments, such as medications or therapy, and can also be used alone. One study states that exercise can improve some symptoms of depression, similarly to antidepressants.
Volunteering, donating, and helping others may also make a person feel good. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health found that people who gave money to a charity activated pleasure centers in their brain.
This may lead to improved endorphin levels. Meditation and yoga are known for their stress-relieving and relaxing effects. This may be partially due to an endorphin release. Some research suggests that yoga and meditation can decrease stress markers and increase endorphins. People who enjoy spicy foods may find that they can get an additional boost from their favorite dishes. Some research suggests that the spicy components in hot peppers and similar foods may trigger a pain sensation in the mouth, which prompts an increase in endorphins.
Research from suggests that eating dark chocolate could boost endorphin levels. Cocoa powder and chocolate contain chemicals called flavonoids that appear to be beneficial to the brain. A review found that eating chocolate may help boost endorphins.
However, many commercial chocolate products contain only small amounts of real cocoa and often contain generous amounts of added sugar and fat.
People looking to use chocolate to improve endorphin levels and mood should look for products that contain at least 70 percent cocoa and eat chocolate in moderation due to its high calorie and fat content. Plenty of research has been written about the health benefits of laughter, and studies suggest that laughing increases endorphins. A study found that social laughter releases endorphins in the brain. Research into the link between endorphins and health conditions is ongoing.
Some studies have shown a possible link between the following health problems and low endorphin levels:.
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