HOW ENDORPHINS FUNCTION

There are many things that can strain our bodies. Pain is one. Vigorous exercise or sex can
push our bodies too, even if they aren’t painful. In response to this stress, a body will relieve
itself by producing endorphins (pain-killing chemicals).
There are several theories about why our bodies release endorphins. The most common one
is that pain relief helps us survive. For example, if you sprain your ankle, the nerves in your
leg will send pain signals to your spine and brain. The pain tells you that you need to pay
attention to your ankle and stop using it. But your brain doesn’t need to hear this message
during the entire month your ankle is healing. So your body releases endorphins, which
block the nerve cells in charge of receiving the pain signals, “muting” the pain. This allows
you to function in day-to-day life without being distracted.
HOW TO RELEASE ENDORPHINS
Endorphins are most commonly associated with exercise. How much exercise an individual
needs to get a “runner’s high” varies from person to person. In general, high-intensity
workouts produce more endorphins than moderate exercise does.
CDC recommends adults engage in either 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise a week
or 75 minutes of intense aerobic exercise a week. Moderate exercise includes activities such
as swimming or brisk walking. You can get intense exercise through jogging, dancing, rock-
climbing, etc.
Research shows exercise isn’t the only way to release endorphins. You can also boost
endorphins through:
 Sex
 Acupuncture
 Massage therapy
 Eating spicy foods
ENDORPHINS AND PSYCHOLOGY
Endorphins play a significant role in multiple mental health issues.
Opioid addiction
Opioid drugs such as morphine and fentanyl block the same pain receptors as endorphins do.
However, opioid drugs tell the brain to release much more dopamine. If a person takes
opioid drugs over a long period of time, their brain will gradually get used to these ultra-
high levels of dopamine. The dopamine released by endorphins will no longer be enough to
satisfy it. A person will need increasing doses of an opioid drug in order to feel happy.
Regular endorphins can prompt a body to relax and slow down its breathing. Opioid drugs,
however, can cause a person to stop breathing entirely. This is called an overdose, and it is
often lethal.