What is the relationship between endorphins and happiness?

The human nervous system is an incredibly complex set of organs; That is why, in order to understand how it works, scientific research focuses on understanding what their smallest elements are like and what they do, mainly at the level of cells and molecules. In this way, starting from these observations of individual aspects that take place in our organism, it will be easier to understand what happens on a large scale.

However, this also has its drawbacks. For example, there is often an excess of reductionism; that is to say, to assume that a phenomenon with many components works through the same logic and the same mechanics as its different parts and elements that exist on a smaller scale. This is something that happens a lot with a class of molecules known as endorphins, which are often described as the neurotransmitters responsible for us feeling happiness. In this article we will address this issue and We will see why the relationship between endorphins and happiness is more complicated than that..

• Related article: "Parts of the Nervous System: functions and anatomical structures"

What are endorphins?

Let's start with the most fundamental: what exactly are endorphins? It is a set of molecules generated by our body, specifically by the pituitary gland located in the brain, and which function as neurotransmitters; that is to say, substances used by neurons to communicate with each other. It is characterized by having the effects of an endogenous opioid, which means that it can be understood as the way our body has to imitate the opiate substances present in certain floors. This implies that endorphins have analgesic and sedative effects, and also gives us a certain feeling of well-being when our body secretes this molecule in high amounts.

Why do endorphins have these effects on our body? Having the ability to "self-administer" a substance similar to opium is useful in certain circumstances, especially those in which we must face situations that represent a challenge for us and that can entail a certain physical exhaustion, since when the neurons of our nervous system capture this molecule, we become less sensitive to pain. Thus, One of the activities that contributes the most to generating endorphins is sport and physical exercise in general..

It may seem contradictory that the same molecule capable of making us feel well-being is activated in potentially painful situations, but if we look at it with perspective, it is not so contradictory. Many experiences require us to face experiences that can hurt us but, despite this, can benefit us in some way. For this reason, endorphins contribute to the fact that while we keep our minds and senses sharpened to achieve our goals, we do not give in to the fear of suffering pain, making us, on the one hand, we have an analgesic protection and, on the other, the reward system of the brain is activated motivating us to engage in an activity that involves certain risks.

• You may be interested in: "How do neurons work?"

What is the relationship between endorphins and happiness?

From what we have seen now, it seems that endorphins are the definition of everything we want in our life: relieve pain and at the same time feel well-being. And it is true that if we focus solely on its operating mechanics, we could say that it is desirable to feel that way. However, that does not mean that endorphins are capable of making us happy. Mainly for two reasons.

First of all, endorphins never "take over" our nervous system; the same experiences that favor its production in our body also stimulate the production of many others, and their effects are combined with each other. The result is that we do not get to have an experience purely derived from endorphins exclusively.

Second, happiness cannot be reduced to momentary well-being. Decades of research in the field of Psychology show that the experience of being happy is associated with how we see ourselves and our lives, how we value our lives and the life journey that has led us to the present situation, and to what extent we are capable of giving meaning to what we do and to what we have been doing. In this sense, what endorphins give us, although it is something valuable and necessary in many aspects, It is too simple and short-term to generate true happiness. That is why stimulating the areas of the brain responsible for producing this neurotransmitter is not, by far, the strategy to be happy.

• Related article: "Emotional management: 10 keys to master your emotions"

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