Endorphins are our candidates for explanation of the chemistry of Panacea effects. The kind of stilulation the Panacea provides and the effects that follow allowed us to put two and two together and the primal suspect was the group of brain chemicals that naturally is being produced to regulate many body functions. Endorphins (abbreviation from endo-genous mo-rphine) were first discovered as a special class of opiate-like substances (the class includes also enkephalins and dynorphins) released in the brain and pituitary gland to take care of pain perception (and euphoria as well, but that was first considered a side effect). The Releasers The first discovered as well as the most classic effect of Endorphins is pain relief. Now, their functions are better known and the causes of their release are well researched. Endorphins were first discovered in regards to their reflective pain-killing action, because they had shown to be release as an answer to pain, including chronic pain (Table 3). Since than, it has been determinedthe most well-recognized method to release endogenous Endorphins is acupuncture including electroacupuncture as well as electrical nerve stimulation. Later researchers came to the conclusion, that any type of peripheral skin stimulation, provided with intensity sufficient to decrease pain , can be releasers. To generalize the reasons why Endorphins are released by the body, we can say that their main purpose is to help the body withstand and overcome mild to severe exertion. Doesn't it sound suspiciously comprehensive? Just about anything can cause Endorphin release and about anything can be affected by Endorphins. However, we can be at lease sure that both Kuznetsovís and Buteykoís modalities fall within these categories: one due to intensive skin stimulation, another due to hypercapnia, they both cause release of Endorphins. But how exactly does it possibly work? Sources: 1. Bergmann, F. The role of endogenous opioid peptides in physiological and pharmacological reward responses--a survey of present-day knowledge. Israel Journal of Medical Sciences. 23(I-2) : 8-11, 1987 Luu, M., Boureau, F. Acupuncture in pain therapy : current concepts. Therapeutishe Umschau. 46(8) : 518-25, 1989   Endorphins: Cascade of Regulators Endorphin-induced release of regulatory peptides. In our research on endorphin releasers, we discovered an interesting state the body falls into in many cases of disturbed physiological balance Somatostatin is chosen as an example of initiation of the second order cascade. Peptides in the overlapping ellipses are under influence of both inductors. Pluses and minuses at the ends of arrows designate excitatory and inhibitory indications, respectively. Abbreviations: ACTH adrenocorticotropic hormone; ANF atrionatriuretic factor; LH luteotropin; TSH thyreostimulating hormone; VIP vasoactive intestinal polypeptide; In our research on endorphin releasers (130, 132, all data discussed below are referred to these booksí bibliography and are available upon request), we discovered an interesting state the body falls into in many cases of disturbed physiological balance. Let just about any of numerous regulatory peptides (including endorphins) deviate from its basal concentration, and a long chain of reactions begins. Regulatory peptides are regulatory because they are able to change from a few to many bodyís functions. For example, after endorphin concentration is increased in the body, the following peptidesí concentration will change also change As a result, the following physiological functions will change, too: body temperature, blood pressure, skeletal muscle tone, breathing, heart rate, water-sodium balance, appetite, thirst, protein synthesis, lipolysis, hormonal balance, sexual motivation, peristalsis, immune activity, general alertness, pain perception, emotionality, and learning ability. To explain how it happens, let us take a closer look at the bodyís functions known to be under control of peptide cholecystokinin (which is just one of the many under influence of endorphins). This peptide is rather well known due to its prominent appetite suppressive properties, but besides, it causes changes in general alertness, emotionality, motor drive, pain perception, exploratory activity, and learning ability. It also stimulates release of at least 6 other peptides: corticotrophin (ACTH), beta-endorphin, vasopressin, vasoactive intestinal polipeptide (VIP), and prolactin (Table: CCK Cascades). Every single one of these peptides is able to induce releases of a number of other peptides, and every one of all of them is a potent physiological regulator. As a result, after just two cascade steps, the grand total of physiological changes can be quite different from those due to cholecystokinin alone. Direct research data following the time course of physiological effects regarding the peptidesí pharmacodynamics in the blood (or cerebrospinal fluid, brain, and tissues) are lacking. However, there was one very impressive result of a remote effect of cholecystokinin applied as a gum patch. It caused statistically significant improvement in the condition of drug resistant schizophrenia with the latency 3 weeks, when no traces of increased cholecystokinin in the blood could be detected. Adaptatogenesis Endorphins act to coordinate many of physiological functions to alter the general state of the body, for example, it can happen trough inhibiting sympathetic nervous system tone (19). As in many other cases of regulation but not direct control, endorphins tend to return a physiological function to normal: they usually increase body temperature, but decrease it during fever or during menopausal hot flashes (101, 57, 53). They decrease blood pressure, only if it is elevated, not in normals (10, 104, 86). Endorphins have been shown to fulfill universal adaptogenous role," ...in regulation of precise conformity among homeostasis, behavior, and variable environment " ( 88).