Endorphins ("endogenous morphine") areendogenous opioid neuropeptides. They are produced by the central nervous system and the pituitary gland. The term implies apharmacological activity (analogous to the activity of the corticosteroid category of biochemicals) as opposed to a specific chemical formulation. It consists of two parts:endo- and -orphin; these are short forms of the words endogenous and morphine, intended to mean "a morphine-like substance originating from within the body".[1] The class of endorphin compounds includes α-endorphin,β-endorphin, γ-endorphin, α-neo-endorphin, and β-neo-endorphin. The principal function of endorphins is to inhibit the transmission ofpain signals; they may also produce a feeling of euphoria very similar to that produced by other opioids.