Editing Endorphins (section)

== Functions ==
Endorphins play a major role in the body's inhibitory response to pain. Research has demonstrated that [[meditation]] by trained individuals can be used to trigger endorphin release.<ref name=":5">{{cite journal | vauthors = Dfarhud D, Malmir M, Khanahmadi M | title = Happiness & Health: The Biological Factors- Systematic Review Article | journal = Iranian Journal of Public Health | volume = 43 | issue = 11 | pages = 1468–1477 | date = November 2014 | pmid = 26060713 | pmc = 4449495 }}</ref>{{fv|date=December 2023}} [[Laughter]] may also stimulate endorphin production and elevate one's [[Threshold of pain|pain threshold]].<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Dunbar RI, Baron R, Frangou A, Pearce E, van Leeuwen EJ, Stow J, Partridge G, MacDonald I, Barra V, van Vugt M | display-authors = 6 | title = Social laughter is correlated with an elevated pain threshold | journal = Proceedings. Biological Sciences | volume = 279 | issue = 1731 | pages = 1161–1167 | date = March 2012 | pmid = 21920973 | pmc = 3267132 | doi = 10.1098/rspb.2011.1373 }}</ref>

Endorphin production can be triggered by vigorous [[aerobic exercise]]. The release of β-endorphin has been postulated to contribute to the phenomenon known as "[[Neurobiological effects of physical exercise|runner's high]]".<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Boecker H, Sprenger T, Spilker ME, Henriksen G, Koppenhoefer M, Wagner KJ, Valet M, Berthele A, Tolle TR | display-authors = 6 | title = The runner's high: opioidergic mechanisms in the human brain | journal = Cerebral Cortex | volume = 18 | issue = 11 | pages = 2523–2531 | date = November 2008 | pmid = 18296435 | doi = 10.1093/cercor/bhn013 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/27/health/nutrition/27best.html|title=Yes, Running Can Make You High| vauthors = Kolata G |date=2008-03-27|newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=2016-05-26}}</ref> However, several studies have supported the hypothesis that the runner's high is due to the release of [[endocannabinoids]] rather than that of endorphins.<ref>{{Cite news| vauthors = Reynolds G |date=2021-03-10|title=Getting to the Bottom of the Runner's High|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/well/move/running-exercise-mental-effects.html|access-date=2021-03-16 }}</ref> Endorphins may contribute to the positive effect of exercise on [[anxiety disorder|anxiety]] and [[major depressive disorder|depression]].<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Anderson E, Shivakumar G | title = Effects of exercise and physical activity on anxiety | journal = Frontiers in Psychiatry | volume = 4 | pages = 27 | date = 2013-04-23 | pmid = 23630504 | pmc = 3632802 | doi = 10.3389/fpsyt.2013.00027 | doi-access = free }}</ref> The same phenomenon may also play a role in [[exercise addiction]]. Regular intense exercise may cause the brain to downregulate the production of endorphins in periods of rest to maintain [[homeostasis]], causing a person to exercise more intensely in order to receive the same feeling.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Freimuth M, Moniz S, Kim SR | title = Clarifying exercise addiction: differential diagnosis, co-occurring disorders, and phases of addiction | journal = International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health | volume = 8 | issue = 10 | pages = 4069–4081 | date = October 2011 | pmid = 22073029 | pmc = 3210598 | doi = 10.3390/ijerph8104069 | doi-access = free }}</ref>