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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Greg on April 4, 2000, at 15:12:16
Does anyone know of anything on the market, either chemical or natural that assists in producing the body's endorphines? I've been told that a lot of tiredness and lack of energy can be attributed to a lack of, or an insufficient amount of endorphines in a persons system. Anyone with any knowledge on the subject?
Greg
Posted by FP on April 4, 2000, at 23:33:09
In reply to Producing the Body's Endorphines, posted by Greg on April 4, 2000, at 15:12:16
Yes. It's called "exercise." Sex, laughter, and most "fun" activities may also be effective, according to some antecdotal evidence.
Or you can search the various other sites on the web until you find out which endorphins remain active when taken orally, and the names of the research labs that sell them. I suggest you not ask them what the suggested dosage is, when ordering.....
Actually, I'm sorry if this is kind of snide - your question is really pretty interesting. Although I hope I don't ever learn that there is such a thing; it would likely be addictive as all get out.
Hope that helps,
FP
Posted by boB on April 5, 2000, at 20:11:38
In reply to Re: Producing the Body's Endorphines, posted by FP on April 4, 2000, at 23:33:09
I agree, although I am unqualified to do so.
I could not recite, without doing my own research, exactly which chemicals are endorphines. Are they neurotransmitters? Hormones? We tend to know them popularly as the pleasure chemicals that perform like opiates, suggesting that they act on receptor sites sensitive to opiates. Actually, opiates might act on receptor sites sensitive to endorphines I would guess. Can anyone out here offer a quick brief on the neurochemistry of endorphines?
Posted by Morc on April 6, 2000, at 21:46:35
In reply to Re: The Body's Endorphines, posted by boB on April 5, 2000, at 20:11:38
I heard that d-phenylalanine (not l-phenyl) raises the level of endorphins by slowing their breakdown. Anybody else? Cam W.?
Posted by FP on April 7, 2000, at 1:34:12
In reply to Re: The Body's Endorphines, posted by Morc on April 6, 2000, at 21:46:35
In the version I heard it was DL-phenylalanine. It's an amino acid. To get it to cross the blood/brain barrier you were supposed to take it with (if I remember correctly) vitamin B6 and Vitamin C.
Never worked for me, though. I think it may be the druggy's version of an "Urban Legend."
Try searching for "Some Amino Acids and Their Effects" on the web; I believe it was published about 5 years ago in a magazine called "Psychedelic Illuminations."
Posted by Cam W. on April 7, 2000, at 6:17:39
In reply to Re: The Body's Endorphines: d-phenylalanine , posted by FP on April 7, 2000, at 1:34:12
Morc - There are a couple 1980s articles on MEDLINE talking about how D-phenylalanine increased the painkilling power of opiates, but a couple stated that the pharmacological activity of D-phenylalanine was not directly related to the endogenous opiate system. I am woefully deficient in my understanding of endorphins and enkephalins. I do believe that in the functioning of the HPA axis, at the level of the pituitary, CRH (coricotropin-releasing hormone) and vasopressin cause the release of ACTH (adrenocorticotropin hormone) and beta-endorphin (if I'm not mistaken). This could be one link to depression. - Cam W.
Posted by tychicus on September 21, 2002, at 21:53:39
In reply to Re: The Body's Endorphines, posted by boB on April 5, 2000, at 20:11:38
Are neurotransmitters hormones or endorphines?
This is the end of the thread.
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