Enkephalin facts for kids
An enkephalin is like a tiny, natural painkiller made by your brain! It's part of a group of chemicals called endorphins, which are famous for making you feel good and helping with pain. Enkephalins are found in many parts of your brain, especially in an area called the basal ganglia, which helps control movement.
Enkephalins are very small proteins. Think of proteins as chains made of tiny building blocks called amino acids. Each enkephalin molecule has five of these amino acids linked together. The very last amino acid in the chain is either leucine (often shortened to leu) or methionine (met).
What Are Enkephalins?
Enkephalins are special chemicals in your brain that act as neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are like messengers that carry signals between brain cells. When enkephalins send their signals, they help to reduce feelings of pain. They can also make you feel calm and happy.
How Enkephalins Are Made
Your brain creates enkephalins from a specific recipe of amino acids. These amino acids are tyrosine, glycine, glycine, phenylalanine, and methionine. They join together in a process called a condensation reaction. This is a fancy way of saying that these small molecules combine to form a larger one, and a water molecule is released during the process.
How Enkephalins Help You
Enkephalins are super important for managing pain in your body. When you get hurt, your brain releases enkephalins. They attach to special spots on your brain cells, like a key fitting into a lock. This action helps to block pain signals from reaching your brain, making the pain feel less intense. They are part of your body's natural way of coping with discomfort.
See Also
