Brain Chemistry - Endorphins - Page 63 of the book - 'How To Stay Sane In A Crazy World

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Endorphins are neurotransmitters responsible for our survival. Endorphins are produced as a response to certain stimuli, especially stress, pain or fear. They enable us to press on in spite of circumstances, to endure and survive. 

The primary role of endorphins is to mask physical pain. Endorphins are solo chemicals which means we can make endorphins on our own. We don't necessarily need another human being for the release of endorphins. They are our own private narcotic, our feel-good chemical, our natural pain killer. 

There are more than 20 kinds of endorphins. One type is even stronger than morphine. They are responsible for blocking physical pain but also, for giving us our feelings of pleasure. It's widely believed that these feelings of pleasure exist to let us know when we've had enough of a good thing, such as too much food and even companionship. 

Endorphins also encourage us to go after something in order to feel the associated pleasure. Endorphins originate in various parts: the pituitary gland, spinal cord and throughout other parts of the brain and nervous system. They mainly interact with receptors in cells found in regions of the brain responsible for blocking pain and controlling emotion