Calibrating Cortisol, Enjoying Endorphins, Co-opting Cannabinoids...Endo Dude!

Time for a Tune-Up: Whether you are tempting to transfer gas from a snow blower to a lawn mower (around here, but not too soon, as you'll tempt Mother Nature to bring one last dusting of snow), getting that boat or convertible out of storage, or just trying to kick start a physical fitness program about which you made a resolution a few months back, we can all relate to the call for a tune-up. This particular year, this spring time rite is more 'pandemic plenty', as more people have definitely experienced the cumulative effects of what otherwise are normal, healthy, functional bodily responses to...STRESS! An example of such a condition that we otherwise refer to as BURN OUT is more technically experienced as adrenal fatigue or, more medically termed, "adrenal insufficiency". Oh, so THAT'S what we've all been going through these past dreadful months, eh?! Well, maybe, but this is only one example of how our bodily systems can either act in harmony or, on the other hand, seem to betray us  (dramatically, for example, in autoimmune disorders). Before you are tempted to run out and get some fuel additives, check out this brief review of some naturally produced chemicals and their respective functions, that are instrumental in fine tuning our bodies, and what YOU can do to maintain yours... 

Cortisol - think of it as nature's built in alarm system (like "Ring Doorbell", see March 10th post). It's your main stress hormone, which works with certain parts of your brain and produced in your adrenal glands (triangular shaped organs, one on top of each kidney). While best known for its role in the "fight-flight" response, cortisol also plays an instrumental, dynamic (i.e., interactive) role in other body functions, such as processing carbs, in minimizing inflammation, in regulating bp, blood sugar, and sleep-wake cycles, and in boosting energy on demand...turbo charged ,baby!--cortisol, my BFF! Too little, too much of this can lead to equally serious conditions, such as Addison's and Cushing's Disease, respectively...Goldilocks again...

Endorphins - are hormones produced and stored in the pituitary gland (which also produces a hormone that signal the adrenals to make cortisol--wow, lots going on here, eh?). "Endorphin" comes from combining the word "endogenous" (within the body, 'all natural'!) and "morphine" (an opiate pain reliever, with the "morphin" being the older spelling). Since they act on the opiate receptors, they reduce pain and boost blood pressure, resulting (if you are luck enough) in temporary feeling of well-being. Like cortisol, they are released in response to stress and pain, but are also associated with other, pleasurable activities...let's see--reduce pain, enhance pleasure--endorphins my NEW BFF!

Take Me Higher--Endocannabinoids - So, it turns out, based on recent research, that the so-called 'runners high' may not be as tied to endorphins as previously thought, as newer research has provided compelling evidence that the sense of post exercise well-being (in well conditioned athletes, that is, whereas many newbies just feel exhausted, like they are dragging their -----!) may instead be due to some endocannabinoids -- biochemically similar to cannabis and better able to sneak through the blood-brain barrier than endorphins (and all this without even lighting up--so much for Cheech and Chong's "Up in Smoke"), where these 'neuromodulators' provide short term psychoactive effects such as reduced anxiety and feelings of calm...endocans, my newest BFF, dude!

Home-Sweet-Home-eostatis: (in biology) -- the state of internal, physical, and chemical conditions maintained by living systems (all within YOU!) --the condition for optimal functioning, dependent on many variables, including temperature (like your car and home), fluid balances (like you car, snow blower, and lawn mower) being kept within pre-set limits (homeostatic range). One example with accompanying easy to relate to illustrations includes the regulation of cortisol (among other hormones), and involves the hypothalamus as your body's (house) thermostat, the pituitary gland acting as a relay switch, and your adrenals, which release cortisol, as your furnace (or AC, if you prefer, depending on your locale and your ambient temp). All these body parts and chemicals working on your behalf; at least you can do your part...

Endo Cocktails: Fortunately, conveniently, or coincidentally, what activities and strategies optimize the 'homeostatic' cortisol range, are also those that enhance the action of endorphins and 'endocans', and most are readily available, within arm's length, and budget friendly: 

- eat (dark) chocolate 

- exercise (of course you knew this was coming, whether before or after you eat chocolate!)

- listen to music, perhaps while dancing, but you can do either/or, combine any way the spirit moves you

- eat spicy food

- glass of (red) wine (to wash down the spicy food?)

- laugh (especially at my jokes!)

- physical affection, in all its forms (lots of articles lately, of course, on the  HUGE value of hugs) 

- give/volunteer (and remember that..."charity begins at home")

There are others, but this is the list of those most commonly referred to and most accessible to us. So, be good to yourself (be your body's BFF)-- tune up and turn out, it's spring!