PART 2
The B-Endorphin remains for many, as the most important healing entity which can
provide so much health and healing for each of us. Don’t forget to review the four reference pages supporting this research. This pertinent information is noted Part 1, on Page 1, on the Endorphin, published in the last months edition. Always remember to follow, RULE #1.
When this article was initially published, the authors conducted a survey of 61 randomly selected medical psychotherapist who were members of the American Board of Medical Psychotherapist were surveyed and the results revealed that 87% regarded the discovery of the B-Endorphin to be among the three most important discoveries relating to health since 1960. Shortly after these results, a randomly selected group of biofeedback clinicians who subscribe to the Journal Clinical Biofeedback and Health revealed that 84% identify the Endorphin as one of the most potent scientific discoveries of the past century.
It was that long ago, 1975, that Dr. Hughes discovered the Endorphin, which literally means “from inside the head” which reside the pituitary gland of each of our brain’s and is 5000 to 10,000 times more potent than synthetic morphine. Research at Purdue University reveals that joggers often push themselves to attain “the high” sensation by pushing themselves to a slightly higher level of achievement. When they are not physically able to do so they can often feel rather miserable much like the addict going through withdraw. It is quite amazing when we realize Endorphin travels, electrically or chemically, or both in milliseconds to different parts of the brain and throughout the body as revealed through neuroscience that each of us has an excess of 100 billion neurons which have thousands of interconnections among themselves.
You may recall, in part one of this writing on the Endorphin, which was published about month ago or so, I mentioned that some of my research was as a clinical psychologist in private practice as well as licensed substance-abuse specialist, serving in both capacities, first at Tennessee Christian Medical Center for 12 years intensely involved in testing and evaluations, as well as individual and group psychotherapy consulting with thousands of addicts and alcoholics. As I completed this great 12 year experience, I retired my A&D licensures and returned to full-time clinical practice with renewed interest in the Endorphin and healing, utilizing Eastern Medicine with Energy Psychology.
The more we venture into really understand the brain we experience mind-boggling because we often become overwhelmed. For instance, the pituitary gland in each of our brains is called the “master gland” producing 50 to 60 incredible hormones, peptides, and chemicals (often with a myriad of other chemicals and substances which are often released at precise milliseconds from the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland creating ACTH, thyroid, thyrotropin, and FSH which stimulates the development of eggs in women and sperm in men along with LH which manages the progesterone for the secretion of milk in the mammary glands. There are roughly 10,000 miles of interconnecting nerve tissues in EACH CUBIC INCH of our neocortex in every human being. There is over 50,000+ nerve fibers that connect the pituitary gland with the rest of the brain and thousands of neuron connections throughout our body. The precision that these chemicals connect with specific receptors much like one’s feet fitting into a specific pair of shoes.
Several years ago, Dr Hans Selye identified the sequence of the body’s responds to stress and this is referred to as general adaptation syndrome (Gas). Included in this syndrome was the “alert state” in which the pituitary gland immediately releases fight or flight hormones including the ACTH, which is the primary hormone of the pituitary gland that affects heart rate, blood sugar levels, pupil dilation etc. With all this orchestration there’s increased levels of the Endorphin which significantly affects physical activity and endurance. It is not uncommon for healthy individuals to exercise for 20 minutes on the treadmill or bicycle, and when the plasma levels of the endorphin are checked they’re usually up 440%… One dimension of the runner’s high.
Several years ago, the Nobel prize winner, Dr. Guillemin affiliated with the Salk Institute in San Diego, assisted three Japanese scientists to synthesize an Endorphin to be given to
“14 hopeless patients suffering from intractable cancer pain”. The injections were surprisingly very long lasting, on an average of 33 hours and for some three days, but it took an enormous amount of this synthetic drug to make this happen. Previous experiments required utilizing the brains of over 30,000 sheep to complete a similar task of managing severe pain for just a few individuals with intractable pain associated with your cancer.
Many colleagues and friends over the years, as well as myself, and other professionals have arrived at a series of beliefs concerning the Endorphin. Some contend that the drug addict or alcoholic continually seek the effects of the Endorphin, which for a variety of reasons cannot be achieved with the alcohol or drug they have, because these substances tend to turn off the production of the Endorphin in the pituitary gland of the brain. The psychic nature of addiction is more apparent with a response to a perceived deficiency, and one seeks relief with the synthetic analgesic which they hope will relieve their “psychic pain”. Research suggest that it is best not to complicate are natural Endorphin, I’d rather utilize the knowledge that we have obtained from individuals like Norman Cousins who simply utilized humor (the Book of Proverbs chapter 6 states that humor is the best medicine) which obviously stimulated his natural Endorphins within oneself. Exercise, being around positive people and positive experiences also stimulates our Endorphins.
Earlier I mentioned that we must pay attention to the rules of life. Regarding the Endorphin there is just “ONE MUST FOLLOW RULE”.
“ALWAYS respect your body holistically (mind body and spirit) and do not interrupt or attempt to enhance your innumerable gifts/miracles, especially YOUR PERSONAL Endorphin which constantly contributes to health and recovery in YOUR life”.
Tim Lynch, Ph D – To speak with Dr. Lynch, you can call him at 615-504-4357,or email him at tdlynch@bellsouth.net. If you want to know more about Dr. Tim check out Psychology Today practice directory, or his WEB:www.thelynchgroup.net
