Drugs and Crime - Article Example

Endorphins are defined as “endogenous opioid peptides that function as neurotransmitters. They are produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus in vertebrates during exercise, excitement, pain, consumption of spicy food and orgasm, and they resemble the opiates in their abilities to produce analgesia and a feeling of well-being.” (Steward 2000, pg. 116) Endorphins can be produced naturally, as in a ‘runner’s high’, when the glycogen in the body is entirely depleted and as a result they are released into the body, giving the individual exercising a burst of energy.

They also can be produced through synthetic instruments, most notably illicit drugs such as cocaine or ecstasy; indeed, the term endorphin generally refers to a specific pharmacological use, and as such it is closely related to drugs abuse. (Lyman & Potter 2007) When considering endorphins in terms of drug abuse medical researchers have noted that synthetic drugs create a shot of endorphins to the individual’s mental receptors creating a temporary feeling of euphoria. There are specific biochemical responses the body makes to these synthetically produced feelings of euphoria and the individual will oftentimes develop a dependency or addiction to the feeling created by the synthetic drugs.

As the addiction persists the difficulty in attaining past feelings of euphoria is increased and the individual is forced to gradually increase the consumption of the drug. In these instances, the individual becomes a full-blown drug and substance abuser. A number of medical researchers argue that the synthetic drugs can permanently alter the individuals' mental receptors so that after prolonged use of drugs such as cocaine, the individual’s mental state is permanently altered, making it that much more challenging to refrain from further usage.