1. Small peptides produced in the brain and nervous system that bind to opioid receptors and reduce pain and produce pleasure sensations.
Usage: Usually used in plural form; Technical/medical term; Also called endogenous opioids

Examples

• Enkephalins are natural chemicals that help the body manage pain.
• The brain releases enkephalins during exercise, which is why people often feel better after working out.
• Scientists study enkephalins to understand how the body naturally produces pain relief.
• Enkephalins and endorphins are both neurotransmitters involved in mood regulation.
• The discovery of enkephalins in the 1970s revolutionized pain research.