Endorphin
noun /ɛnˈdɔːr.fɪn/ — Natural painkillers produced by the brain; the runner's high
Definition
Endogenous opioid peptides produced by the brain that function as natural painkillers and mood elevators. Released during exercise, laughter, excitement, and physical pleasure — endorphins are the body's internal reward system for positive experience.
Beyond the definition
Endorphins are the body's evidence that it was built for joy — that effort, connection, and pleasure all trigger chemical reward. The runner's high, the laughter that becomes helpless, the warmth after exertion: endorphins.
Origin & history
Greek: endo (within) + Greek: morphine (from Morpheus, god of dreams). 'The morphine within' — the body's internal opioid, named for its structural similarity to the drug.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She ran not for the results but for the endorphin rush that nothing else quite replicated.
Laughter is one of the fastest ways to trigger endorphin release.
Endorphins evolved to reward behaviours that were good for survival. The body was built to enjoy things.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Endorphin” when the meaning fits your context: Endogenous opioid peptides produced by the brain that function as natural painkillers and mood elevators. Released during exercise, laughter, excitement, and physical pleasure — endorphins are the body's internal reward system for positive experience.
Synonyms
natural painkillers, feel-good hormones, endogenous opioids
Related words
Endorphin vs dopamine
Endorphins are natural painkillers released to mask physical discomfort. Dopamine is a reward neurotransmitter that drives motivation and pleasure-seeking.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Sensory Pleasure and Satisfaction
An adult dips crusty bread into a rich, steaming sauce with a satisfied expression.
The expression of satisfaction after tasting food relates to the internal reward of endorphins. As the body’s natural reward system, endorphins facilitate the sense of pleasure found in sensory experiences like cooking and eating, reinforcing positive physical and emotional states.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Endorphin" mean?
Endorphin is noun meaning: Natural painkillers produced by the brain; the runner's high. Endogenous opioid peptides produced by the brain that function as natural painkillers and mood elevators. Released during exercise, laughter, excitement, and physical pleasure — endorphins are the body's internal reward system for positive experience.
Where does the word "Endorphin" come from?
Greek: endo (within) + Greek: morphine (from Morpheus, god of dreams). 'The morphine within' — the body's internal opioid, named for its structural similarity to the drug.