There are about 20 different kinds of endorphins found in the brain. They function as both neurotransmitters and hormones. They are needed for endurance and relaxation (Guyton and Hall., 2015), and, hence, needful for long spans of mental and physical work. And to block physical
Classification of Endorphins
Endorphins can be classified as:
- alpha endorphins
- beta endorphins
- gamma endorphins
- delta endorphins
Each of these four classes of endorphins has an average of four members. These members differ in the number and/or type of amino acids that make them up.
Endorphins are produced mainly in the Brain, brain stem, spinal cord and the pituitary gland. Some also believe that it is produced in order parts of the body including the skeletal muscles.
The most powerful endorphins are beta endorphins.
The main difference between endorphins and analgesic drugs is that endorphins are removed very fast from the plasma after release.
There are about five different types of endorphins in each of their four classes (alpha, beta, gamma and delta endorphins) making about 20 different types of endorphins yet discovered. Some like the met-enkephalins and leu-enkephalins differ by types or number of amino acids in their chains (molecules).
Endorphins as Pain Antidotes
Endorphins are antidotes to physical, emotional/psychological pain. They inhibit physical pain by stoping nociceptors from relaying pain signals to the central nervous system when they bind with opoid receptors to produce analgesic effects.
They relief emotional/psychological pain by producing excitatory effects in the neurons of the brains circuits possibly in the Papez circuit of the thalamus.
Sexual Functions of Endorphins
Endorphins have also been found to influence the release of sex hormones by possibly acting on the anterior pituitary gland to release the sex hormone releasing hormone (GnRH), which acts in turn acts on the gonads to cause the release of follicle stimulating hormones (FSH) and leutenizing hormone (LH) for the generation of sex cells and hormones.
Endorphins Release
Studies have long shown that exercise hike the release of endorphins. Laughter, sex and some foods such as chocolate and chilly pepper have also been linked to hike in plasma endorphins levels.
Worthy of note is that the old believe that the euphoric mood after exercise is caused by plasma endorphins hike has been debunked by the discovery of anandamide in the brain after exercise. Anandamide produces a cannabinoid effect (mood elevation) after exercise.
However, one is advised to subscribe to whatever boosts the availability to nervous system of these pain antidotes, endorphins.
Festus C. Anaba, B Med. Sci. Physiology
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