“Hormones of joy”, they are endorphins, are produced by themselves in the human body. But there are a number of factors affecting their production, and therefore, if desired, you can cause the release of endorphins yourself. It is not as difficult as it may seem, you just need to know what to do and how. What does endorphin release mean? Why is it needed and how to produce it? All this will be discussed in the article.
What are endorphins?
Endorphins are a group of chemical compounds produced in the neurons of the brain. By their effect, they can be compared with opiates. It’s like a natural drug that is produced by the body itself. When a person experiences pleasant emotions, the level of endorphins rises in the blood, due to which he experiences bliss, joy, and happiness.
The Importance and Role of Endorphins
The value of endorphins for the human body is very high. This is not only a “hormone of joy”, it also regulates the functioning of vital organs, supports the immune system. With a significant increase in endorphins in the blood of a person, the pain threshold can decrease, and he will feel much less pain. Therefore, you need to know how to manage them so that, if necessary, you can adjust their production.
Reasons for the lack of endorphins
Every day a person is faced with a lot of stress factors, joys, problems, pain, sadness, happiness. But not all emotions positively affect him. The reasons for the lack of endorphins can be any problems:
- contention in the family;
- dismissal;
- break with a guy (girl);
- difficulties with moving;
- illness or death of a loved one.
These are just some of the most popular problems, but there can be many more. And as a result of such a shortage of endorphins, lethargy and apathy first occur. Then it develops into sadness, sadness, longing and nostalgia, which in a persistent form, if left untreated, can cause stress, insomnia, neurological problems and depression.
Endorphins and addiction
Joy and happiness is man’s greatest desire. Satisfaction is the meaning of today, as of yesterday and tomorrow. Therefore, those who do not feel this satisfaction can begin to artificially cause joy, the release of endorphins (hormones) into the blood. Several options are suitable for this:
- drugs
- alcohol;
- artificial induction of endorphins.
The first two methods are very detrimental and eventually inevitably lead to the "abyss" of complete despair and death. The problem is that many people are so keen to get that joy that they take extreme measures for it, using drugs or alcohol to relax and feel happiness. However, the body has the ability to adapt, and therefore the systematic receipt of "artificial joy" leads to the fact that the hormone ceases to be produced. Endorphin release completely stops.
If endorphins do not fulfill their function, then they are not needed, and therefore they simply disappear. A deficiency of this hormone develops, and a person can no longer rejoice without a bottle or drugs that replace him. Of course, this is treated, but only if the patient wishes, and this can not always be achieved.
But the third way - the challenge of ejecting endorphins, allows not only to satisfy your desire for happiness, but also to improve the condition of the body. That is, a person psychologically, morally and physiologically becomes happy.
How to cause an endorphin release?
There are so many methods to do this. But their effect may vary significantly in degree, duration and availability. So how can an endorphin release be triggered?
- Of course, the most proven and always effective method is pills, which are prescribed most often for people who are depressed. They not only dull the pain or nervousness, but also make the person a little happier or very happy, depending on which medications were prescribed. But this method is not available to all people. Such medicines are dispensed in pharmacies only by prescription.
- The second option is food. There are some products that will be discussed below that affect the production of endorphin.
- The third option is thinking. Positive thoughts evoke corresponding emotions and, as a result, the production of the “hormone of joy”. All that is needed is to learn to think correctly and fundamentally change all bad thoughts to good ones. In psychotherapy, this method is widely used for various disorders, neurasthenia, panic attacks, etc. It consists in monitoring mental activity all the time and directing it in the right direction.
- Laughter always triggers the release of a “hormone of joy” and simultaneously boosts immunity.
- Motional activity allows you to relieve tension from the muscles and cause a strong release of endorphin. Sex is ideal, but sport is also a good alternative. The best among sports for this are running, tennis, swimming, cycling. In other words, what needs to be done for a long time is suitable - at least half an hour, and this should be methodical, similar movements, and not a warm-up. At some point in the training, the athlete simply notices complete satisfaction, comparable to high.
- New experiences, only good ones, can increase endorphins. No wonder little children are so happy in the New Year and Christmas holidays, they cannot fall asleep after going to the forest or celebrating a birthday. The reason for this is a positive experience. In adults, everything is a little different. Holidays are often associated with spending, homework and do not bring the necessary satisfaction. Therefore, it is better to look for new sensations in other places - going to the cinema, theater, to the exhibition, parachuting, traveling abroad.
- Acupuncture and massage have a positive effect on the nervous system and the entire body. Experts know how to relax the client, and are able to act on the most sensitive areas, thereby contributing to the release of the “hormone of happiness”.
Food
It is known that some foods affect the release of endorphins. Their use raises the mood, improves overall health, and allows you to relieve fatigue or pain.
- Chili pepper, oddly enough, refers to such "joyful" products. It is not necessary to eat it, you just need to hold it a little in the language. This will allow you to feel relaxation, calm down and even get rid of pain.
- Chocolate is ideal in small quantities. It helps to feel better, more beautiful, more desirable. The mood rises and improves. But in large quantities, it is more likely to do harm than help, as it affects the stomach, heart and figure.
- Bananas and strawberries not only increase mood, but are also beneficial for the body. They are recommended by all doctors, without exception, if there are no contraindications.
- Just 1 avocado per day will make the world a better and more fun place.
- Potato has a similar effect to a human body as a banana, and therefore helps to combat stress and depression, increasing mood.
- Cilantro stimulates the nervous system and improves overall well-being.
- Beetroot breaks down homocysteine, causing stress and depression, thereby boosting mood.
In addition, there are a number of products that stimulate the production of seratonin, another “hormone of joy”. This is mustard, milk, paprika, currant, thyme, etc.
Due to such an amazing effect on the body, these products are recommended for people who are depressed in order to improve their general well-being, replace psychotropic pills or enhance their effect. Of course, they can be used just like that in a different amount. But it’s important to understand that there will be no more joy in the number of bananas eaten. The first thing a person will experience after the fourth fruit is heaviness in the stomach from overeating, and not joy. Therefore, the use of these products should be in moderation, in the right combination with other products and only if there are no contraindications.
Endorphins and depression
The goal of almost any person is happiness. Just be happy, do what brings satisfaction. Endorphin, or endogenous morphine produced inside the body, is responsible for this very happiness, satisfaction, joy. If this hormone is not produced for one reason or another, a person begins to experience depression, then sadness, boredom, sadness, which translates into depression.
Treatment of depression is based on increasing the level of “hormones of happiness” in the blood in all possible ways. How to cause the release of endorphin in the blood? Both the above methods and the medical ones are involved. So, for example, during stress in the body, the level of potassium, which is involved in the fight against it, sharply decreases. Therefore, you need to adhere to a special diet with a high content of this substance, which is prescribed to a person. As a supplement, vitamins containing potassium may be prescribed.
Treatment of depression is based on a complete medical and psychological study and solution of the problem. Therefore, it is impossible to treat it solely with medical preparations or laughter, an integrated approach is needed here.
The effect of music on endorphin levels
Music is also capable of causing a strong release of endorphin, but not all and not always. But to feel happiness from music is much easier than from anything else if a person is fond of it. All known goosebumps or even tears are a direct sign that the level of endorphins has increased.
Today, there are a lot of different kinds of music, some of which are created specifically for therapeutic purposes, and the other for lovers and fans. It is impossible to say unequivocally which one will cause satisfaction, even scientists cannot create anything like this. Each person has their own concepts of beauty, associations, emotions, and it is these factors when listening to music that affect its perception. For some, there is nothing better than country; others like rock. South Korea, India, America, England and other countries have their own distinctive musical features. Again, the type of melody is also important - is it sad or funny, fast or slow. But a universal “happy” music, common to all people, does not exist. What one person likes can annoy another.
Interesting Facts
- Cases have been reported when women during labor used endorphin production as a painkiller. This was done by listening to music. At the same time, they practically did not feel pain, as if they had been anesthetized.
- Not only sex, but any physical intimacy can cause the release of endorphins. Scientists note that people who kiss a lot are less prone to stress. The same applies to hugs, during which a person relaxes and feels a surge of joy.
- In the morning, while sipping, the level of endorphins in the blood sharply increases.
- As mentioned above, laughter contributes to the release of the “hormone of joy”, but in addition, this contributes to a simple smile, during which it is generated automatically.
There is no specific norm for endorphins. For each individual person there is a necessary amount of substance for normal well-being and functioning of the body.
Now you know how to cause the release of endorphin in the body. Be happy!