The saying rings true: Laughter is the best medicine. Vigorous intensity exercise includes activities like indoor cycling, playing soccer, running, or skiing.įortunately, around as little as 20–30 minutes each day can help boost your endorphin levels ( 11, 12, 13).
Moderate intensity exercise includes activities such as a brisk walk, a gentle bike ride, or gardening. Moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic exercise and strength training can lead to a surge in endorphins, along with other feel-good chemicals such as endocannabinoids, dopamine, and serotonin ( 11, 12, 13). ExerciseĮxercise is well known for its mood-boosting effects and role in decreasing symptoms of depression and anxiety ( 7, 8, 9, 10). Here are 8 ways to naturally boost your endorphins. SummaryĮndorphins are neurotransmitters that are released by the brain to alleviate pain and promote pleasure. They’re also released during pleasurable moments, such as eating chocolate, having sex, or exercising ( 2).
Though they’re not fully understood, they’re thought to be involved in how we perceive pain and pleasure ( 2).įor example, endorphins are released during painful experiences, such as when you sprain your ankle, to temporarily relieve pain and discomfort. While various forms of endorphins exist, beta-endorphins are the most studied and known for their pain-relieving effects ( 1, 2). Interestingly, the term endorphin comes from the words “endogenous,” meaning from the body, and “morphine, an opiate pain reliever.
They’re a type of neurotransmitter - and in some cases, they’re thought to be hormones, too - that act on opiate receptors to alleviate pain and promote feelings of pleasure ( 1, 2). They’re mostly controlled and released by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland ( 1, 2). What are endorphins and what purpose do they serve?Įndorphins, also known as endogenous opioids, are groups of protein chains called peptides.