Addicted to Morphine

Whether we like it or not; understand it or not; believe it or not, we’re all addicted to morphine.

I hear you saying, “Get me out of pain!” “Help me feel good!” “I’m so stressed!” “Fear of all this stuff happening in the world today, worry about the kids, the finances, etc., has my brain running in circles.” “That car just cut me off and nearly made me crash!” “You IDIOT!!” “I need something to help me feel better.”

Each time thoughts like that cross the mind, the hypothalamus (the boss of the cellular communication system) automatically goes into action to bring the good feelings back. The pituitary gland joins the hypothalamus to make 20 different kinds of “feel good” endorphins.

Endorphins are little messages our brain sends to our cells. The word “endorphin” comes from two words. Endogenous means “inside the body”, and Morphine means “a substance that kills pain.” When the body needs to feel better or more normal, it will signal the brain to make some internal morphine.

Exercise is one signal. The more exercise a person does, the stronger the signal. A small amount of exercise will produce a small amount of “feel good” endorphin, and more exercise results in higher levels. Athletes go through intense training to reach the mile-marker that delivers their “runner’s high”.

Other great endorphin signals include laughing. Yes, a good laugh makes a body feel good all over. Chocolate is definitely one of our favorite signals; spicy food is another. Sunbathing is high on the list. Listening to music stimulates the production of endorphins, and dancing sets the endorphins on fire. Country music is one of the best endorphin boosters while heavy metal music leaves the listener in a more anxious state. The pleasure of sex is merely a release of endorphins, and pain is one of the strongest signals.

If the body runs low on its ability to produce endorphins, the result can be anxiety, depression, feelings of being stressed out and the inability to experience joy.

When your days are filled with extra stress, step out into the sunlight, take deep, refreshing breaths of the best oxygen available, turn up the music and dance like no one’s watching. Fix your problems with a good dose of internal morphine.

Until then … TAKE CHARGE! … Sylvia

Sylvia J. Harral, M.ED., N.C. is the Education Director at Golden Sunrise Nutraceutical, Inc.