Have you ever heard the saying that laughter is the best medicine? In an article discussing research findings on the release of feel-good brain chemicals, the authors write: "When laughter is elicited, pain thresholds are significantly increased, whereas when subjects watch something that does not naturally elicit laughter, pain thresholds do not change and are often lower. These results can be better explained by the action of endorphins released by laughter" (Welsh). Endorphins are produced by the pituitary gland and hypothalamus in response to stress, pain, love, sexual activity, excitement and fear. They are naturally occurring chemicals in the brain that interact with opiate receptors to block sensations of pain and especially lead to feelings of euphoria. Hormones and neurotransmitters, such as endorphins, play a crucial role in the functioning of our body. Endorphin levels in the brain can be altered by taking a number of drugs including heroin and methadone, and lasting effects can result. The pain-relieving and pleasurable effects of morphine, the narcotic drug derived from the opium poppy, are widely known. Endorphins bear a striking resemblance to morphine. It was called “endorphin” from endogenous (meaning internal) and morphine (morphine is a painkiller). People wondered why morphine and other opiate drugs should produce such powerful effects on the nervous system. Thus, the discovery of endorphins followed the realization that certain regions of the brain bind to opioid drugs with high affinity. Endorphins were discovered almost by accident in the 1970s by scientists researching drug addiction. The brain has been found to produce a series of neurochemicals that are much more potent than morphine, but which share the same receptors. End…middle of the article…the question will ultimately lead to the damning discovery of natural pain. -kill polypeptides in the brain. Endorphins are released more heavily in the human body during stressful events or in times of great pain. Endorphins are nature's way to dull the pain response without resorting to hard opiates like heroin and methadone. The rush of endorphins into the system at these times is often felt as a feeling of nausea or nervousness in the stomach. Without endorphins that act as stabilizers in our brain, the world would be full of stress and chaos. In addition to relieving stress and pain tolerance, endorphins also trigger a positive feeling in the body, similar to that of morphine. In my opinion the best and most effective way to trigger a greater release of endorphins is through exercise. The runner's high is an effective way to get the same euphoric feeling thanks to endorphins.