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. People who enjoy spicy foods may find that they can get an additional boost from their favorite dishes. Some research suggests that yoga and meditation can decrease stress markers and increase endorphins. This may be partially due to an endorphin release. Meditation and yoga are known for their stress-relieving and relaxing effects. This may lead to improved endorphin levels. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health found that people who gave money to a charity activated pleasure centers in their brain. Volunteering, donating, and helping others may also make a person feel good. One study states that exercise can improve some symptoms of depression, similarly to antidepressants. They found an increase in the release of endorphins after exercise.Īs exercise boosts mood and increases endorphins, some medical professionals prescribe regular exercise as a treatment for mild to moderate depression and anxiety.Įxercise can be used safely in conjunction with other treatments, such as medications or therapy, and can also be used alone. Researchers used positron emission tomography (PET) scans to view athlete’s brains both before and after exercise. However, measuring endorphins in humans was not possible until 2008, when new imaging technology became available. Share on Pinterest Regular exercise has been found to help combat anxiety and depression due to the endorphins it releases.įor years, researchers suspected that endorphins caused the so-called “runner’s high,” a feeling of euphoria that happens after lengthy, vigorous physical activity. However, endorphins can produce a “high” that is both healthy and safe, without the risk of addiction and overdose. Natural endorphins work similarly to opioid pain relievers, but their results may not be as dramatic.
Medical experts are now looking into safe and effective pain relievers without opioids. Opioid abuse and overdose have become such a serious problem that the National Institutes of Health have declared it a crisis. Many of these are a result of overdosing or misusing prescription opioids. The National Institute on Drug Abuse state that 90 people die each day in the United States from an opioid overdose. Both legal and illegal opioid medications have a high risk of causing addiction, overdose, and death. Some illegal drugs, such as heroin, are also opioids. Some of the more common opioid drugs include: The name endorphin comes from the words “endogenous,” which means “from the body,” and “morphine,” which is an opioid pain reliever. The scientists then realized that some chemicals in the body acted similarly to natural opioid medications, binding to these same receptors. They found that the body has special receptors that bind to opioids to block pain signals. In the 1980s, scientists were studying how and why opioids worked. They are sometimes prescribed for short-term use after surgery or for pain-relief. Opioids relieve pain and can produce a feeling of euphoria. They work similarly to a class of drugs called opioids. Share on Pinterest Endorphins are chemicals that help to relieve pain or stress, and boost happiness.Įndorphins are chemicals produced by the body to relieve stress and pain.