The Discovery of Endorphins: A Personal History of Finding the Body's Own Opioids

What the researchers found

The pharmacological uniqueness of opiates implied endogenous opioid ligands must exist, leading to the discovery of enkephalins, beta-endorphin, and dynorphins — a family of peptides with diverse roles in pain, mood, and behavior.

Why it matters

The discovery of endogenous opioid peptides is one of neuroscience's most important breakthroughs. It transformed understanding of pain, addiction, mood, and immune function, and continues to drive drug development.

How the study worked

Historical review by a pioneer in the field, tracing the scientific journey from opiate pharmacology to endogenous opioid peptide discovery.

What this study cannot tell us

Historical perspective focused on one researcher's experience. May not cover all contributions to the field.

How to read the evidence

Strong evidence from a historical review by a field pioneer, summarizing decades of established discoveries.

When this study was published

Published in 2000, providing historical perspective on discoveries from the 1970s-1990s. The endogenous opioid field continues to expand.

The bigger picture

The endogenous opioid system is now recognized as one of the brain's most important signaling networks, involved in everything from pain and pleasure to immune function and stress resilience.

Questions still open

• What new opioid peptide functions remain to be discovered?
• Can understanding the endogenous system lead to non-addictive painkillers?
• How do the three opioid peptide families interact?

Common questions

Read the original research

From opiate pharmacology to opioid peptide physiology.

Upsala journal of medical sciences, 105(1), 1-15

Citation

Terenius, L. (2000). From opiate pharmacology to opioid peptide physiology.. Upsala journal of medical sciences, 105(1), 1-15.