Monday, November 24, 2008

The Endorphin Rush


Endorphins are produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus during strenuous exercise, excitement, stress, pain, and orgasm. They may also be released during consumption of certain foods such as hot peppers or cocoa. This euphoric feeling induced by endorphins may last up to 12 hours for some people. They have analgesic properties, similar to opiates. Pain relieving drugs act like endorphins by stimulating opiate receptors in the brain. Endorphins will induce a sense of power and control over someone whom has just sustained an injury, which may cause someone to persist with certain harmful activities. This certainly sheds light upon the masochist.

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