endorphins

Cultural

Substances produced by the brain that have painkilling and tranquillizing effects on the body. Endorphins are thought to be similar to morphine and are usually released by the brain during times of extreme body stress. The release of endorphins may explain why trauma victims sometimes cannot feel the pain associated with their injuries.

Example Sentences

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Endorphins are among several types of “endogenous opioids”—your body’s natural painkillers.

From Slate • Jan. 30, 2026

Endorphins are the brain's "happy chemicals" and are released both to reduce stress and pain and in response to pleasurable experiences, such as laughing with friends over a truly terrible Christmas cracker joke.

From BBC • Dec. 22, 2025

Endorphins are “feel good” hormones released in response to pain, stress, exercise and other activities.

From Washington Times • Feb. 10, 2023

Endorphins surging, I raved about the quality of the mountain biking.

From Washington Post • Sep. 30, 2021

Endorphins are also released when monkeys and other nonhuman primates groom, suggesting that this mechanism has evolved to boost social ties, Dunbar says.

From Science Magazine • Sep. 20, 2016

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023