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Beta-endorphin is a neurotransmitter which is released from the anterior pituitary gland. Low levels in the central nervous system may play a role in depression. Beta endorphins consist of a chain of 30 amino acids. They are at highest concentration in the blood during exercise. Beta endorphins can also boost the immune system and kill cancer cells.
It is used as an analgesic in the body to numb or dull pains. That is the reason why we start to feel better immediately after an acute physical trauma even though the symptoms are still present. The reason the pain dulls is because it breaks down bradykinins, which accumulate in response to injury.
For example, you hit your thumb wih a hammer and you feel a sharp pain but that subsides in to a dull ache soon even though your thumb is still just as damaged now as it was right after you hit it. [[[Category:Depression]
- ru:Бета-эндорфин
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