title: [Pain and endorphins].
abstract: Various stimuli may evoke the symptom pain. These stimuli activate sensory receptors and this information is transmitted to the spinal cord and a number of cerebral centres. Various endogenous analgesic systems are present in the body, which can modulate and control the consequences of pain stimuli to some extent. Endogenous morphine-like substances (endorphins) are an essential factor in some of these systems. Endorphins may be released in the body during stress or by acupuncture and other pain-relieving procedures (e.g. the twitch in horses). The significance of endorphins is not confined to pain, but they are also involved in reward systems of the brain may therefore play a role in eating, sexual, social and addictive behaviour among others.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: van Ree
mesh_terms: D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004723:Endorphins / Q000502:physiology*; D005059:Euphoria / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D004723:Endorphins; D011957:Receptors, Opioid
vernacular_title: Pijn en endorfinen.