β-endorphins: The Body's Natural Painkillers and Mood Boosters
In the world of neuroscience and physiology, β-endorphins stand out as fascinating endogenous opioid neuropeptides and peptide hormones. These natural compounds, sometimes referred to as endogenous morphine-like substances, are produced within the body, specifically in the brain. Recent research has also suggested that cells of the immune system are capable of synthesizing β-endorphins, highlighting their role beyond the central nervous system. The analgesic properties of β-endorphins are of particular interest. In the peripheral nervous system (PNS), β-endorphins produce analgesia by binding to opioid receptors and inhibiting the release of substance P. Substance P is a crucial protein involved in the transmission of pain signals. By blocking its release, β-endorphins effectively reduce the perception of pain. Within the central nervous system, β-endorphins also bind to opioid receptors, but their mechanism of action differs. Instead of inhibiting substance P, they exert their analges...