Internationally recognised pharmacologist Dr Candace Pert speaks with Robert Millett on her research into the role of endorphins, emotions, and chakras in healing, happiness and mastery of life

BASICS OF THE ENDORPHIN EFFECT

The key element of the Endorphin Effect is the fact that the unconscious mind cannot tell the difference between what is real and what is imagined. So just by merely thinking about a pleasurable event, we can trigger endorphin release within the body and make ourselves feel good. This then means that we are not dependant on outside circumstances to create situations that release endorphins and enhance our well-being

The basic positive feedback loop looks like this: Endorphins > feeling of pleasure > mood of happiness > friendly behaviour

5 methods for deliberately triggering endorphins

* Positive triggers (any event, activity or thought that gives you pleasure)
* Inner smile (give your own body kind attention)
* Curled deer (sink and relax into the body language of resting)
* Biophylia (Allow self to feel connected with natural world, with spiritual inspirations and the good things in life)
* Daily exercise (20 minutes minimum to raise metabolism and increase oxygenation of blood)

4 skills for deliberate triggering of endorphins

* Pause (when stressed OR experiencing pleasure, put on the brakes and take a mental pause)
* Notice sensations (notice the actual sensations and feelings in your body)
* Absorb (if the sensations are pleasurable, chill a bit more and absorb the good feeling)
* Hold (if the sensations are tight, painful or distressing, turn your focus toward them, use the inner smile and ‘hold’ the feelings of discomfort)

If practiced regularly, these simple techniques, will enable you to take control of your ‘inner’ environment’, and give you the tools that you can use anywhere and at any time to build your energy and strengthen your nervous and immune systems, enabling you to be better equipped to deal with the strains and stresses of the fast-paced lives we tend to lead.