What are endorphins?
Q: What are endorphins?
A: Endorphins are natural chemicals in the body that fight pain, released when a person gets hurt, but also during exercise, laughter, or sex.
Q: What is the function of endorphins?
A: The main function of endorphins is to inhibit the communication of pain signals. They may also produce a feeling of euphoria very similar to that produced by other opioids.
Q: How were endorphins discovered?
A: Endorphins were discovered by scientists in the 1970s. They resemble drugs like morphine, so scientists called them "endogenous morphine".
Q: How many types of endorphins have scientists identified?
A: Scientists have identified and named five different types of endorphins.
Q: Where are endorphins produced?
A: Endorphins are produced by the central nervous system and the pituitary gland.
Q: What is the meaning of the name "endorphins"?
A: The name "endorphins" has two parts: endo- and -orphin; these are short forms of the words endogenous and morphine. They mean "a morphine-like substance from within the body".
Q: Can endorphins be found in animals?
A: Yes, endorphins can also be found in most animals.
