<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:comic sans ms,sans-serif;font-size:large;color:#000000">BillK, thanks for that,but it doesn't answer the question of if the pain has to be consciously felt, or is the stimulation from the injured body parts enough. bill w</div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Sat, Aug 12, 2023 at 3:46 PM BillK via extropy-chat <<a href="mailto:extropy-chat@lists.extropy.org">extropy-chat@lists.extropy.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">On Fri, 11 Aug 2023 at 23:33, William Flynn Wallace via extropy-chat<br>
<<a href="mailto:extropy-chat@lists.extropy.org" target="_blank">extropy-chat@lists.extropy.org</a>> wrote:<br>
><br>
> When you have pain endorphins are emitted, as we all know. But just how does that work? It makes a difference.<br>
> If the pain has to be conscious, then a strategy occurs to me: when my pain meds run out, do nothing (like ice packs and TENS unit) so that endorphins can flow. Later add the ice etc.<br>
><br>
> But what if the endorphins were there all along because they respond not to what is conscious, but the inputs from the painful area. Then they were there all along and the strategy above will not work.<br>
> Anyone know this? bill w<br>
> _______________________________________________<br>
<br>
<br>
I don't know, but I bet I know an AI who does! :)<br>
BillK<br>
<br>
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Endorphins are a type of neurotransmitter, which are chemicals that<br>
transmit signals in the brain. They are often referred to as<br>
"feel-good" chemicals because they are associated with feelings of<br>
pleasure and well-being. Endorphins are released in response to<br>
various stimuli, including pain, stress, exercise, and certain foods.<br>
<br>
To answer your question directly, endorphins are not present in the<br>
body all the time but are released in response to specific situations<br>
or stimuli. When you experience pain, endorphins are released as a<br>
natural response to help alleviate the discomfort. These endorphins<br>
act as natural painkillers by binding to opioid receptors in the brain<br>
and spinal cord, reducing the perception of pain.<br>
<br>
The release of endorphins during painful experiences serves as a<br>
protective mechanism. It helps to reduce the intensity of pain and<br>
promote feelings of well-being and relaxation. This is why some people<br>
may experience a "runner's high" after intense exercise or feel a<br>
sense of relief after enduring a painful experience.<br>
<br>
It is important to note that endorphins are not the only<br>
neurotransmitters involved in pain perception. Other neurotransmitters<br>
such as serotonin and dopamine also play a role in modulating pain<br>
signals and influencing mood.<br>
<br>
While endorphins are primarily associated with pain relief, they can<br>
also be released in response to other stimuli. For example, engaging<br>
in physical exercise can trigger the release of endorphins, leading to<br>
feelings of euphoria and improved mood. Similarly, certain foods like<br>
chocolate or spicy foods have been suggested to stimulate endorphin<br>
release, although the evidence for this is limited.<br>
<br>
In summary, endorphins are not constantly present in the body but are<br>
released in response to specific situations or stimuli, including<br>
pain, stress, exercise, and certain foods. Their release helps to<br>
alleviate pain and promote feelings of pleasure and well-being.<br>
-------------------------<br>
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