Description
α-Endorphinexhibitsmuchofthesamepropertiesasβ-endorphin,beinganendogenousopioidpeptidethatactsasanagoNISTatμ-opioidreceptors(μORs)andexhibitsimmunomodulatory,neuromodulatory,antidepressant,andantinociceptive/analgesicactivities.Thispeptide,likeotherendogenousopioids,playsasignificantroleinrewardandreinforcementsignaling,especiallyinbrainregionssuchastheventraltegmentalarea(VTA)andnucleusaccumbens(NAcc).α-Endorphinreleaseisinducedduringexerciseandshowsantidepressantactivityinclinicalstudies.