ENDORPHIN: FOR A SENSE OF WELL-BEING
Catherine Genevieve B. Lagunzad, Ph.D.
Introduction
It also explains why emotionally unstable
Are there days when you feel anxious,
people hurt themselves on purpose. The pain
unhappy and let down? And in those days, did
induces the increase of blood endorphin levels,
you ever find comfort by eating fat and fatty
which in turn helps calm their racing thoughts.
foods like fries, chips, chocolates and cheese?
Oddly enough, medical studies show that
Or have you ever found the need to release all
good belly laughter can also stimulate the
these pent up emotions by exercising and
secretion of endorphin in the brain. Laughter
sweating it out in the gym?
apparently lowers blood pressure and produces
Food and exercise can change our moods
all the other good effects of endorphin. Because
noticeably. They give us a sudden feeling of
of these findings, laughter is now being used as
happiness. Why? This is because food and
a supplement to other forms of medical
exercise can stimulate our bodies to produce
treatment. Humor therapy, as it is now commonly
certain substances called endorphins, also
referred to, has been observed to improve the
known as enkephalins.
quality of life of patients with chronic health
problems.
What are endorphins?
How many kinds of endorphins are there?
Endorphins are hormones produced by the
pituitary gland and the hypothalamus of our
There are at least 20 types of endorphins
brain in response to a variety of stimuli.
known in humans. And they are believed to be
Endorphins are endogenous proteins that
located in the pituitary gland, other parts of the
resemble morphine, in their ability to minimize
brain, or distributed throughout the nervous
physical and emotional pain, increase pleasure,
system.
improve our mood and make us feel better. In
Particular endorphins are associated with
other words, they work as "natural pain killers."
particular experiences. A rise in levels of
"Endorphin" actually means "the morphine
endorphins, like dopamine, norepinephrine and
within". Morphine is extremely addicting. The
phenylethylamine, was detected in people after
sense of euphoria brought by endorphin can
exercise and sexual activity.
also be addicting. Low endorphin levels make
During a long run or a difficult workout,
us crave for fats, sugars or exercise, which can
athletes gradually lose the ability to feel pain.
raise endorphin levels.
They experience the thrill of exhilarating energy
caused by the surge of endorphins.
Why do we produce endorphins?
The same endorphins are linked to sexual
Why do we produce them? Perhaps, this is
attraction. They create feelings of euphoria and
how nature allows us to cope with high levels of
insatiable desire, both of which are associated
stress and pain. Endorphins are known to block
with “falling in love”.
pain, decrease appetite, decrease anxiety,
Oxytocin is an endorphin that is also known
induce the release of sex hormones, and
as the “cuddling hormone”. It reaches a five-fold
enhance immune response. They produce a
increase in levels during sexual orgasm. This
sense of euphoria, well-being and pleasure.
chemical promotes a need for cuddling and
bonding between individuals, such as that
When do we produce endorphins?
between mother and baby or between husband
Stress and pain are the two most common
and wife. People who are less receptive to
factors that trigger the production and release
oxytocin tend to have shallower relationships.
of endorphins. Endorphins act as a “calming
How do endorphins work?
mechanism”.
Endorphins may explain how “someone
Endorphins are opioid hormones. They bind
severely wounded in battle can continue to fight
to opioid neuro-receptors in the brain to give
or have the strength to save someone else”1.
relief from pain.
Opioid drugs, like morphine, codeine and
other analgesics, have very similar chemical
structure as endorphins. They bind to the same
opioid neuro-receptor in the brain. Thus, they
produce very similar effects of pain relief.
Opioids, however, do more than relieve
pain. They make us happy and feel good about
ourselves. They give us an insidious sense of
pleasure and an exhilarating feeling of
euphoria.
.
A Healthy Option to Pleasure
Remember, when you experience strong
cravings for chocolates, fries or chips, it's
probably your body’s way of letting you know
that you have low endorphin levels. While there
is pleasure in sugar and fat loading, there is
more sense in going for healthy options.
A balanced diet, a good work out, a
massage, meditation, being in love, laughter –
all these can also increase your endorphin
level, and bring you a healthy amount of
pleasure.
Take A Stress Test online
You can take an online stress test using
STRESS-O-METER by visiting
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/nakedscienc
e/stress/typeab.asp.
STUDY ENRICHMENT
A. Science Words
Endorphin; are opioid hormones that are
naturally produced by the body in response to
pain and stress.
Hypothalamus: the part of the brain that
monitors internal body conditions, initiate
behaviors and maintains physiological balance. It
is the center of hunger, thirst, sexual drive,
pleasure and pain.
Endogenous: naturally produced within the
body of an organism.
Hormone: organic chemicals that are naturally
produced by the body to elicit specific
morphological, physiological or behavioral
change.
B. Review Questions
What are endorphins?
What can endorphins do?
How do endorphins work?
What can trigger the production of endorphins?
How can you apply knowledge of endorphins in
your daily life?
References:
http://edie.cprost.sfu.ca/~rhlogan/todd. html
http://www.ecsd.com/~rhhedgz1/sex2.html
http://fitness-softwarereview.toptenreviews.com/getting-high-onexercise.html
http://stress.about.com/cs/exercise/a/aa072003a.
htm
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/nakedscience
/stress/typeab.asp
http://www.readysetgofitness.com/newsletter/39_
Lovesthoseendorphins.html
The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth
Edition. 2001-05.
INTEREST ACTIVITY: Stressed Out, Chill Out
People have different ways of coping with stress. Some people meditate, others run.
Many simply watch television or listen to music. Whatever you do, what is important is you
know yourself and you understand what works for you.
Know Your Stress Type
Are you the kind of person who can’t wait patiently in line and who can’t keep your cool
in a traffic jam? Or are you the type who can sit and wait and while your time by initiating a
conversation with people around you? Type A personalities are always ON THE GO, but
would most likely have low threshold for stress. Type B personalities are easygoing, “laid
back and relaxed”, thus could better cope with stressful situations What Stress Type are
you?
TYPE A
1
Never late
Very competitive
Poor listener
Always rushed
Lose patience if made to wait
Always doing two things at once
Speak quickly and forcefully
Care about satisfying yourself,
without worrying what others think
Push yourself (and others) hard
2
3
4
5
6
Type B
Casual about being on time
Not competitive
Good listener
Usually feel you have plenty of
time
Able to wait patiently
Tackle tasks one at a time
Talk slowly and deliberately
Need recognition from others
Easy-going
Good at expressing feelings
Keep feelings hidden
Many hobbies and interests
Few interests outside home and
work/school
Very ambitious
Eager to get things done
Fast (eg walking, eating)
Unambitious
Not concerned with deadlines
Slow at doing things
Source: http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/nakedscience/stress/typeab.asp
ANALYSIS OF SCORE: TYPE A - 42 and below TYPE B – 43 and above
Turn to Art
On a sheet of bond or board paper, illustrate as creatively as you can the things you do
to CHILL OUT when under extreme amount of STRESS.
Take A Stress Test online
You can also take an online stress test using STRESS-O-METER by visiting
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/nakedscience/stress/typeab.asp.
TEACHING GUIDE - BIOLOGY EDITION
CONCEPT ARTICLE: Endorphins: For A Sense of Well-being
by Catherine Genevieve B. Lagunzad
OBJECTIVES
After reading the concept article, the students should be able to:
1. define endorphins;
2. discuss the role of endorphins in the human body;.
3. explain how endorphins work;
4. cite specific factors or activities that can trigger the production of endorphins; and
5. employ their knowledge of endorphins in better coping with stress.
TEACHING STRATEGIES
1. Begin with a discussion of the Endocrine System and the role of hormones produced by each
endocrine gland. Encourage students to help you prepare a fully labeled illustration of the
endocrine system. Let them prepare a table identifying the endocrine glands, the hormones they
produce and the morphological, physiological and behavioral response elicited by each. Then, let
them read the concept article on Endorphins: For A sense of Well-being.
2. If computer and internet facilities are available in school, they can also download additional
interesting information about endorphins.
3. You can also visit the site below as a class. It has a lot of interactive materials on stress and stress
management.
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/nakedscience/stress/typeab.asp.
INTEGRATION OF LESSONS
1. Technology: Ask the students to research on OPIOID DRUGS. Discuss the beneficial and
harmful effects of these drugs.
2. Health: This may be a good time to talk about teenage stress and drug addiction
3. Values: Let students use literary or art links to illustrate healthy options for increasing endorphin
levels and dealing with stress.
4. Career: Invite to your class a psychologist who can discuss with studentsthe following topics:
 How to cope with STRESS and
 Avoiding, recognizing and dealing with DEPRESSION in teenagers
CHECKPOINT
1. Ask the students to use the terms in the Study Enrichment at the end of the concept article in a
sentence.
2. Let the students answer the review questions provided in the Study Enrichment.
REINFORCEMENT
1. Let the students perform the Interest Activity.