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The search for the link between endorphins and depression began when it was
found that both enkephalin and opioid receptors are located in mood-response
areas of the brain. A large debate has emerged within endorphin research over
whether depression is caused by an excess, deficiency, or static levels of endorphins,
and even that endorphins may not be a factor in depression at all. Considering
the disputing testimony it is premature to conclude how the endogenous opioid
system is involved in depression. It is thought however that endorphins are likely
to modulate the nervous system activity over the long-term rather than moment-
to-moment. Because the normal mechanism of neurotransmitter reuptake for the
recycling of endorphins doesn’t exist for endorphins, a new precursor must be made
each time. Plus their effective lifetime is limited by their enzymatic breakdown; so
these factors make endorphin manufacture and use rather expensive for the body.
Logical Assumptions To the Link
Endorphins are released in shock, freeze, fight-or-flight, trauma, physical pain
and in all stress, including psychological stress. They serve as an analgesic (pain
killing), anesthetic and cause dissociation, immobilization and loss of self. We
may not know exactly how endorphins are involved in depression, however we
can readily intuit how they might be involved in ennui, detachment, disinterest,
dispassion, disregard, dullness, numbness, emotionlessness, lethargy, listlessness,
satiety, apathy, contentment, peace and fulfillment.
Depressives often have elevated stress hormone levels in their blood and since
endorphins are released along with ACTH in response to any stressor, depressives
are also have “elevated” endorphin levels as well. Another reason why endorphins
are involved in depression is that they serve the role of an inhibitory brake on the
excitatory neurotransmitters. It is apparent that dendrite regrowth and receptor
recovery needs to be one of the primary focuses of the exhaustion phase in order to
recover our vivid edge, creative potency and avoid the swamp of dull affect. Besides
the influence of endorphins, learned helplessness, anhedonia and depression are
associated with a depletion of norepinephrine and dopamine.
too mUcH Bliss
Endorphins are neuroinhibitors which lower arousal. When we have a low
arousal level, the nervous system has a decreased reaction to the sensory input
coming in and therefore doesn’t react or respond as quickly or as strongly to the
input. With a low arousal level find it hard to remain interested and focused, and
so we tend to seek out greater stimulation in order to register and respond to it.
Imagine being caught in a condition in which pleasure is no longer pleasurable
because one is buzzed out of ones tree on a permanent high. This can be the state
we find ourselves in at the tail end of a kundalini awakening when endorphin levels
are permanently elevated and yet the emotional storms of limbic reconstruction
are finished. In this condition pain and suffering no longer really “touch” us, but
neither does passion or excitement. The mechanism by which we have steered our
life till now is now jammed and the territory has the same bland value everywhere
we look.