Their presence has also been observed in the gastrointestinal system. From this structure, endorphins are distributed throughout the rest of the nervous system. The synthesis of endorphins takes place mainly in the pituitary gland or pineal gland, a brain structure that through the secretion of hormones regulates the balance of the body, participating in processes as relevant as growth and maturation, sexuality and metabolism. These are molecules which generally do not produce a nerve signal by themselves, but which modulate and alter the neuronal sensitivity to other substances. These substances are also known as endogenous opiates, because their chemical composition and action is very similar to that of opium derivatives such as heroin and morphine.
We are talking about endorphins.Įndorphins are a type of endogenous neuropeptide, that is, chains of proteins made by the body itself, which are in charge of stimulating the brain areas that produce pleasure in the body. However, in addition to these substances, there are other neurotransmitters of great relevance to our lives, being the molecules that cause us feelings of true satisfaction and happiness, as well as those that help us endure pain.
We know that dopamine participates in the brain’s reward mechanism, that serotonin is the so-called tranquillity hormone or that noradrenaline helps us to remain awake and alert. These are substances that act at a cerebral level contributing to the transmission of information between different neurons, causing a great diversity of effects at a physiological, cognitive, emotional and behavioural level. Neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, GABA or noradrenaline are already known.
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