Endorphins are a group of hormones released in the brain and nervous system that have many physiological functions. Interestingly, among the things they do, they activate the body’s opioid receptors in individual cells, causing an analgesic or analgesic effect.

For my friends who hate painkillers, yes you have opioid receptors naturally in some of your cells, even if you’ve never taken a prescription opiate. They also produce the opioid substances needed to modulate the systems that regulate , pain, reward seeking, and addictive behaviors, so thank God you have them.

The natural opioid receptors (there are five types that we know of) in our cells respond to naturally occurring internal chemicals such as enkephalins, endorphins, endomorphins, dynorphins and nociceptive/orphanins. join we make them. we use them. And we benefit from them.

This class of hormones can also be boosted with topical opioids such as heroin, morphine, and fentanyl.

Before I could sharpen my rake and light my torch, I lost my only sister to an opioid overdose.

This column is written for informational purposes and does not recommend that anyone seek the help of a qualified professional to keep themselves and their pets healthy.

Endorphin feel-good chemicals aren’t the only reason dogs lick us and other animals and things. They also do it to show affection, to communicate, to groom themselves, to soothe an itch that can’t be scratched, and to explore the unfamiliar. Licking to arouse, to serve, and of course, to savor things.

When the puppies are born, the mother licks them to clean and stimulate them. Soon after, she licks regularly to stimulate the toilet. Before being domesticated, the prepubertal pups licked the returning elder’s face and feet to initially show docility. At the same time, licking allowed us to gather information about where we were and what we ate.

Being ravine prey, wild dogs may come back into the herd area and vomit when stimulated by all the licking.

This is good because puppies will jump on the vomit and eat it themselves. This is one of the reasons why when a dog vomits, he almost always turns and starts eating again.

Finally, just like humans, licking greatly enhances their sense of smell. For us, we no longer lick things like dogs, than we drink like dogs. Humans hold objects in their mouths and usually swallow them.

Think wine or liqueur tasting. Take a sip and move a large amount of air over your tongue before swallowing or spitting. Between sips, the pro cleanses your palate and sinuses with water.

Powell is a spokesperson for the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, which provides this column as a community service. If you have questions or concerns about animals you would like to read about, please email cpowell@vetmed.wsu.edu.