Disclosure statement: I in no way endorse the use of illicit drugs or the misuse of prescribed psychotropic drugs.

In fact, I’ve never participated in recreational drugs. I simply never felt the urge.

This is not to say that I have not experienced the euphoria of getting a high.

I do it every day on campus. There are other methods to get a legal buzz.

Best of all, students have access to all of this paraphernalia — or resources — on campus.

Psychotropic drugs are a growing problem for college students. Just check out the weekly police blotters in the newspaper.

In fact, students who reported smoking marijuana heavily were 4 percent in 2005 during a national survey.

Accordingly, 8.2 percent of surveyed students reported using illegal drugs other than marijuana, such as cocaine and heroin, according to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse.

Students and residents of IU Southeast, take heed.

Morphine, marijuana, chili peppers, jogging, love and excitement have one substance in common — endorphins — a natural, yet legal substance.

Endorphins, a neurotransmitter similar to dopamine, serotonin and adrenalin, transmit signals across synapses or open spaces between nerve cells. In essence, these endorphins transmit electrical signals between neurons and produce the sensation of a high or well-being.
The greatest benefit— they naturally exist in the body and campus police cannot confiscate it.

Whether spicy foods release a measurable level of endorphins is debatable, this euphoric experience can be best explained with a “runner’s high,” which occurs during strenuous or prolonged exercise.

The body releases endorphins during long, continuous exercise and allows persistence without the feeling of pain, producing an “endorphin rush.”

This flood of endorphins can ultimately elevate moods and brighten spirits.

Besides exercise, the body produces endorphins during pain, consumption of spicy food, excitement and sleep.

Luckily, there is a variety of legal drug dealers on campus, but where?

Endorphins can be found in a variety of places on campus — the Food Court, the Fitness Center, or one of many student activities on campus.

In need of an immediate rush? Eat spicy food on Taco Tuesday or a few jalapeños from the Food Court. If a resident on campus, cook up a dish of stuffed jalapeño peppers with bacon. Try not to burn the bacon.

A pepper, similar to a runner’s high, prompts pain and stimulates the body during the secretion of endorphins.

Instead of smoking a joint in the Residence Halls, try the free Fitness Center in the Activities Building. It offers an assortment of equipment and classes to experience the phenomena of endorphins. Exercise also allows the betterment of oneself.

Like socializing and helping the community?

Get involved in campus activities or join a fraternity or sorority. IU Southeast offers more than 100 student organizations, including advocacy groups, student government, academic clubs and honor societies, performance ensembles, religious and non-religious groups, sports clubs and intramurals.

Have a penchant for writing? Join The Horizon, submit an article to the Undergraduate Research Journal or help out in the Writing Center.

The opportunities are endless for a student with any interest.

Have no interest or nothing to do?

Take a run or cycle across campus.

For me, advertising and design equates to my drug and ecstasy.

Similar to running, I feel an overwhelming surge of happiness when I successfully pitch a campaign or complete a design.

I feel invincible and motivated to continue my college career. I cannot help but feel overjoyed when I complete a self-project, and I’m high on eight hours of sleep.

Whether it be running on campus, joining a sport or participating on campus, discover the benefits of endorphins.

Most importantly, get involved on campus and discover the body’s natural drug and ecstasy — endorphins.

By STEPHEN ALLEN

Features Editor

allen68@imail.iu.edu