"Hormones of joy", they are also 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 on your own. It's not as difficult as it might seem, you just need to know what to do and how. What does endorphin release mean? What is it for 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. In their effect, they can be compared with opiates. It is like a natural drug that is produced by the body itself. When a person experiences pleasant emotions, the level of endorphins in the blood rises, due to which he experiences bliss, joy, happiness.
The meaning 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 human bloodthe pain threshold may decrease, and he will feel much less pain. Therefore, you need to know how to manage them so that you can adjust their production if necessary.
Causes of lack of endorphins
Every day a person is faced with a large number of stressors, joys, problems, pain, sadness, happiness. But not all emotions have a positive effect on him. Any problem can cause a lack of endorphins:
- discord in the family;
- dismissal;
- breakup with a guy (girl);
- difficulty moving;
- illness or death of a loved one.
These are just some of the most common problems, but there can be many more. And as a result of such a lack of endorphins, lethargy and apathy first set in. It then develops into sadness, sadness, melancholy, and nostalgia, which, if left untreated, can cause stress, insomnia, neurological problems, and depression.
Endorphins and addiction
Joy and happiness is the greatest desire of man. Satisfaction is the meaning of today, as well as 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. There are several options for this:
- drugs;
- alcohol;
- artificial induction of endorphins.
The first two methods are very pernicious and eventually lead inevitably to the "abyss" of complete despair and death. The problem is,that many people so strongly desire to receive that very joy that for the sake of it they go to extreme measures, using drugs or alcohol in order to relax and feel happiness. However, the body tends to adapt, and therefore the systematic receipt of "artificial joy" leads to the fact that the hormone ceases to be produced. Endorphin release stops completely.
If endorphins do not perform 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 it. Of course, this is treated, but only if the patient wishes, and this can not always be achieved.
But the third way - the release of endorphins, allows you 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 trigger an endorphin release?
There are so many ways to do this. But their effects can vary considerably in degree, duration, and availability. So how can you release endorphins?
- Of course, the most proven and always effective method is pills, which are prescribed most often for people with depression. Not only do they dull the pain or nervousness, but they also make the person a little happier or very happy, depending on what medications were prescribed. But this method is not available to all people. Similar medicines are dispensed in pharmaciesprescription only.
- The second option is food. There are some foods that will be discussed below that affect the production of endorphins.
- The third option is thinking. Positive thoughts cause corresponding emotions and, as a result, the production of the “hormone of joy”. All you need is to learn how to think correctly and radically change all bad thoughts into good ones. In psychotherapy, this method is widely used for various disorders, neurasthenia, panic attacks, etc. It consists in constantly controlling mental activity and directing it in the right direction.
- Laughter always causes the release of the "hormone of joy" and simultaneously improves immunity.
- Motor activity allows you to relieve tension from the muscles and cause a strong release of endorphins. The ideal option is sex, but sports are a good alternative. The best sports for this are running, tennis, swimming, cycling. In other words, what you need to do for a long time is suitable - at least half an hour, and these should be methodical, similar movements, and not a warm-up. At some point in training, the athlete simply notices complete satisfaction, comparable to a high.
- New experiences, only good ones, can boost endorphins. It is not for nothing that little children are so happy on New Year and Christmas holidays, they cannot fall asleep after going to the forest or celebrating their birthday. The reason for this is positive impressions. For adults, things are a little different. Holidays are often associated with spending, housework and do not bring the desired satisfaction. Therefore, newit is better to look for sensations in other places - going to the cinema, theater, exhibition, skydiving, traveling abroad.
- Acupuncture and massage have a positive effect on the nervous system and the entire body. Specialists know how to relax the client, and are able to influence the most sensitive areas, thereby contributing to the release of the “hormone of happiness.”
Food
It is known that certain foods affect the release of endorphins. Their use improves mood, improves overall well-being, and allows you to relieve fatigue or pain.
- Chili pepper, oddly enough, is one of those "joyful" products. It is not necessary to eat it, you just need to hold it a little on the tongue. This will allow you to feel relaxed, calm 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 will harm rather than help, as it affects the stomach, heart and figure.
- Bananas and strawberries not only improve mood, but are also good for the body. They are recommended by all doctors without exception, if there are no contraindications.
- Just 1 avocado a day will make the world a better and happier place.
- Potato has a banana-like effect on the human body, and therefore helps fight stress and depression, improving mood.
- Cilantro stimulates the nervous system and improves overall well-being.
- Beetroot breaks down homocysteine, which causes stress and depression, thusthe most raising mood.
In addition, there are a number of foods that stimulate the production of seratonin, another "hormone of joy." These are mustard, milk, paprika, currants, thyme, etc.
Due to their amazing effects on the body, these products are recommended for depressed people to improve overall well-being, to replace psychotropic pills or enhance their effect. Of course, they can be used just like that in different quantities. But it is important to understand that there will be no more joy from the number of bananas eaten. The first thing a person will experience after the fourth fruit is heaviness in the stomach from overeating, 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 makes you happy. 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 results in depression.
The treatment of depression is based on increasing the level of "happiness hormones" in the blood in all possible ways. How to trigger the release of endorphins in the blood? Both the methods listed above and medical ones come into play. So, for example, during stress in the body, the level of potassium, which is involved in the fight against it, is sharply reduced. Therefore, you need to adhere to a special diet with a high content of this substance, which is prescribed to a person. Potassium-containing vitamins may be prescribed as a supplement.
The treatment of depression is based on a complete medical and psychological study and solution of the problem. Therefore, it is impossible to treat it exclusively with medicines or laughter, an integrated approach is needed here.
Effect of music on endorphin levels
Music can also cause a strong release of endorphins, but not all and not always. But it is much easier to feel happiness from music than from anything else, if a person is fond of it. The well-known goosebumps or even tears are a direct sign that the level of endorphins has increased.
Today there is a lot of different music, some created specifically for therapeutic purposes, the other - for lovers, fans. It is impossible to say unequivocally which one will cause satisfaction, even scientists cannot create anything like that. Each person has his own concepts of beauty, associations, emotions, and it is these factors that influence its perception while listening to music. For some, there is nothing better than country, others love rock. South Korea, India, America, England and other countries have their own distinctive musical features. Again, the type of melody is also important - whether it is sad or cheerful, fast or slow. But there is no universal “happy” music that is the same for all people. What pleases one person may annoy another.
Interesting facts
- There have been reports of women using endorphins as a painkiller during childbirth. This was done by listening to music. At the same time, they practically did not feel pain, as if they were being given anesthesia.
- Not only sex, but any physical intimacy can trigger 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 increases dramatically.
- As mentioned above, laughter contributes to the release of the "hormone of joy", but in addition, a simple smile also contributes to this, during which it is produced automatically.
There is no definite norm for endorphins. For each individual person, there is the right amount of a substance for the normal well-being and functioning of the body.
Now you know how to trigger the release of endorphins in the body. Be happy!
