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Enkephalins are endogenous opioid pentapeptides that participate in many of the regulatory functions of the organism, being especially linked to the decrease in the sensation of pain.
Peptides are molecules made up of several amino acids. Enkephalins, being pentapeptides, have five amino acids linked by peptide bonds. The word "opiate" refers to molecules that act as analgesics for the nervous system, having a tranquilizing function. Finally, the term "endogenous" tells us that it is the human body that produces them.
Metencephalin Leuencepalin
There are two types of enkephalins, metencephalin and leuencephalin. They are small peptides present in many central neurons (in the globus pallidus, thalamus, caudate, and central gray matter). Its precursor is proenkephalin, which is synthesized in the cell body and then split into smaller peptides by the action of specific peptidases. The resulting fragments include two enkephalins, composed of five amino acids each, with a terminal methionine or leucine, respectively. After their release and interaction with peptidergic receptors, they are hydrolyzed to form inactive peptides and amino acids, such as dynorphins and substance P, the pain peptide.
There are other endogenous opioids such as endorphins and dynorphins. In general, this group of opioids act on the generation of inhibition responses and on sensations of pleasure, since they participate in the reinforcement circuit. Likewise, they also act in the regulation, stability, of body temperature, respiration and cardiovascular response and in the correct functioning of memory and attention.
Enkephalins bind to the major opiate receptors, kappa, mu, and delta. Enkephalins are produced in the pituitary gland and are transmitted to different body areas in the brain, the adrenal medulla, and the digestive tract.
The adrenal medulla has the function of producing neurotransmitters such as adrenaline and norepinephrine that are responsible for the transmission of nerve impulses. On the other hand, the intestinal tract, which is located outside the central nervous system, is responsible for the functions of ingestion, digestion and excretion. Therefore, enkephalins can be kept in storage until intervention is required.
The main function of this peptide is to relax, to calm down, in short, to reduce bodily activation. In this way, it has a depressant function in the central nervous system, made up of the brain and spinal cord, which is the main director of the body.
As we have already seen, enkephalins are involved in different bodily processes, but it is in pain control where this molecule shows the greatest impact.
Physical pain is a sensation that arises in the body with an adaptive function, which motivates action to restore the previous state. In situations in which the pain is so high that feeling it is no longer functional, it does not favor survival, the body itself inhibits this sensation in order to seek help or get to safety.
Although the most notable function of the enkephalins is to reduce the sensation of pain, they are also involved in many other functions of the organism. It is very important to maintain the homeostasis of the body, that is, to maintain the balance of different body processes, such as breathing, heart rate, body temperature or even the amount of glucose in the blood.
They also help increase the creation of new cells, reduce the feeling of stress and restore the state of the immune system after their performance. Likewise, it is related to addictions to certain substances, helping to generate the pleasant and reinforcing effect. In short, the role played by enkephalins is the recovery and restoration of the balance of the physical and mental state.
The way in which the mind will be directed is given by the following formula:
The abscissa axis represents the time in tenths of a second. The ordinate axis is the amount of air inside.
This exercise is non-recurring, only done once immediately after the epinephrine-generating exercise. You have to have the clear intention of leaving and you have to let yourself go when the time comes.
It begins with the lungs completely empty and a long inspiration is made from greater to lesser intensity, and at a point, the breath is stopped, occluding the glottis, thus preventing the entry of air, and the meditator goes into orbit... goes". At this time, the head will fall slightly back and to the right, resting slightly on the muscles of the right shoulder so that it cannot move.
It must be verified that there is no breathing, that there is no thought, that there is no visualization. At that point, the verifier leaves. It must remain like this for at least five minutes to validate the assay. That time should be controlled externally because the perception of time in that state is very different. In that state you can normally stay between five and thirty minutes.
In the case of leaving early, you should immediately return to the epinephrine exercise with more force and, later, rehearse with the enkephalins. This can be done one more time until you can get out during those five minutes, although in some cases, less time may be enough to have entered the first jhāna. If it is not achieved, you should rest and, at another time, start from scratch.
...You are ready and you jump into the void... at the top of the jump you release the air... with empty lungs it seems as if everything were suspended... you inhale deeply, hold all the air and begin to fall, the descent is smooth, as if the exhalation were holding you, everything is disappearing, the thoughts, the images, the sensations, the emotions, the breathing, the movement... and you also disappear, like a drop that is lost in the ocean.