| word | endorphin |
|---|---|
| definition | Any of a group of proteins in the brain that are able to relieve pain. |
| eg_sentence | On the final stretch of her daily five-mile run, she could usually count on the endorphins kicking in, giving her that beautiful “runner's high.” |
| explanation | The word endorphin was coined, back when the substances were discovered in the 1970s, by joining pieces of endogenous and morphine, morphine being a narcotic that closely resembles the endorphins and relieves pain in a similar way. Studies suggest that the pain-relieving practice called acupuncture (see acupuncture) works by releasing endorphins. Endorphins also seem to play an important role in pregnancy. Though much remains to be learned about the endorphins, the general public seems ready to give them credit for any all-natural high. |
| IPA | ɛnˈdɔrfɪn |
Tags: mwvb::unit:28, mwvb::unit:28:word, mwvb::word, mwvb::word-cloze, mwvb::word-reverse, obsidian_to_anki
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