Opioids In The Brain

Everything one’s brain is responsible for doing, which is all mental processes, takes place at alarmingly fast rates every second of every day in areas of the brain called synapses. Synapses are formed by a gap in between the ends of two neurons that is measured in units of nanometers. Signals received by a neuron begins the domino effect, the first thing that follows is the electrical impulse that is the sign for neurotransmitters (chemicals) to be released. These neurotransmitters then travel to the opposite side of the synaptic gap where they latch onto receptors (molecules) specific to them. Specific neurotransmitters are determined by the type of chemical stored inside bubble like containers called vesicles that hold the various types …show more content…
Endorphins are known as pain killers, they are scientifically classified as endogenous opioid neuropeptides which were first discovered in 1974 by various peoples around the same time; noted people include John Hughes, Hans Kosterlitz, Rabi Simantov, Soloman H. Snyder, and Eric Simon (Wikipedia 2). Discoveries were made based on studying the effects of opioids like heroine and morphine. When the synaptic process takes place, the vesicles containing endorphin neurotransmitters react with the receptors to prohibit the cell’s ability to transmit pain signals (Scheve 3). It’s molecular formula C158H251N39O46S, it has a molar mass of 3,465.03 g/mol-1.Endorphins can range from five to forty amino acids long that change the effect the original purpose of neurotransmitters when triggered by a stressor. They are formed as a smaller part of proopiomelanocortin molecules, otherwise known as POMC molecules, the body codes for them as a single gene and it is later made into smaller active units when enzymes become involved. Endorphins ability to relieve stress or pain is possible because of the pentapeptides met-enkephalin and leu-enkephalin. Things that may trigger endorphins are activities including sexual intercourse, laughing, exercising, eating sweet foods and the scent alone of food. (Chemistry Explained …show more content…
It was discovered in 1909 by Sir Henry H. Dale when he extracted oxytocin from a human’s pituitary gland and this sample made a pregnant cat’s uterus contract (Oxytocin 10). Its molecular formula is C43H66N12O12S2, it has a molar mass of 1007.187 g/mol (Oxytocin 7). It is also a type of peptide that is specified as a nonapeptide due to its nine amino acids; its amino acid sequence is cysteine-tyrosine-isoleucine-glutamine-asparagine-cysteine-proline-leucine-glycine or CYIQNCPLG (Oxytocin 9). It’s given the nickname of ‘love hormone’ because it is released during sexual intercourse, when a woman goes into labor and breast feeding (Oxytocin: What is it and what does it do? 8). Oxytocin is made in nerve cells instead of glandular cells and is released to regulate circadian homeostasis when a nerve stimulation occurs; this is a very fast