title: Effects of diving experience on submersion-induced increases in plasma levels of beta-endorphin in scuba divers.
abstract: The submersion of eight male scuba divers in a state of neutral buoyancy for 20 min resulted in a significant increase (mean, 20%) in plasma beta-endorphin immunoreactivity (beta-EIR), and all subjects reported post-submersion feelings of well-being, relaxation or euphoria. The increase in beta-EIR was negatively correlated with age (r = -0.727) and diving experience (r = -0.860), and positively correlated with the amount of air usage during submersion (r = 0.863). Thus, diving experience appears to influence many of the nonsubjective parameters measured.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23298.
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Tripathi
authors.forename: N W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Eastman
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Brase
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Dewey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood; D000388:Air; D004242:Diving; D005059:Euphoria; D006801:Humans; D007101:Immersion; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012063:Relaxation; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D001615:beta-Endorphin