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Many people claim to experience an '''endorphin rush''' after undergoing [[Body Modification|modifications]] or [[:Category:Rituals|rituals]].

The human body does release endorphins. They are commonly associated with intake of tryptophan in the diet (commonly found in chocolate). Endorphins are the body's "happy hormones".

However, they are not responsible for this effect. The supposed "endorphin rush" is more likely to be a burst of adrenaline (epinephrine), with the side-effect of numbing pain. This is a stress response, generally evoked in response to pain or fear and is a defence mechanism.



==See Also==
* [[Enlightenment]]
* [[Trance State]]
* [[Vasovagal Anxiety Reaction]]

[[Category: Rituals]]
[[Category: Reference]]