discovery of endogenous opiods

Opiate drugs

are derived from (or chemically similar to those derived from) the opium poppy.

Familiar opiates

it include morphine, heroin, and methadone.

addiction

misused of opiate drugs can cause

opiate drugs

can be use as a pain relief

opiates

it relax people, decrease their attention to real-world problems, and decrease their sensitivity to pain.

details

People used morphine and other opiates for centuries without knowing how the drugs affected the brain.

Candace Pert and Solomon Snyder

found that opiates attach to specific receptors in the brain.

endorphins

Scientists discovered that the brain makes its own natural painkillers called

endorphins

are like natural versions of morphine that the brain produces to help reduce pain and make us feel good.

endorphins

Soon investigators found that the brain produces neuropeptides now known as

endorphins

a contraction of endogenous morphines.

details

Endorphins indirectly activate dopamine release.

details

Endorphin synapses inhibit ventral tegmental neurons (in the midbrain) that release GABA, a transmitter that inhibits the firing of dopamine neurons.

ventral tegmental neurons

these neuron usually release a chemical called gaba