enkephalin
noun
en·keph·a·lin
in-ˈke-fə-lən 
-(ˌ)lin,
en-
: either of two pentapeptides with opiate and analgesic activity that occur naturally especially in the brain and have a marked affinity for opiate receptors compare endorphin
Examples of enkephalin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
One potential approach is targeting T-regs directly to increase the production of the painkiller enkephalin, which ultimately would benefit both women and men.
—
Jenny Lehmann,
Discover Magazine,
7 Apr. 2025
The researchers have also begun looking at the engineering T-regs to produce enkephalin in both women and men, offering a new path toward treating chronic pain.
—
Michael Franco,
New Atlas,
4 Apr. 2025
During that time, your body tends to produce less endorphins and enkephalins, which are natural pain-killers, than at any other time of day, according to the National Headache Foundation.
—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
24 Aug. 2017
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Jenny Lehmann,
Discover Magazine,
7 Apr. 2025
The researchers have also begun looking at the engineering T-regs to produce enkephalin in both women and men, offering a new path toward treating chronic pain.
—
Michael Franco,
New Atlas,
4 Apr. 2025
During that time, your body tends to produce less endorphins and enkephalins, which are natural pain-killers, than at any other time of day, according to the National Headache Foundation.
—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
24 Aug. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Enkephalin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enkephalin. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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enkephalin
noun
en·keph·a·lin
in-ˈkef-ə-lən, -(ˌ)lin
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