Self-Cutting and Endorphines

[Lvytn]

The other day I was talking to my cousin about lots of different things. At one point in our conversation the subject of self-cutting was brought up. He informed me that self-cutting is a way of releasing endorphines and strengthening one's immune system and body as long as it is not done under a time of stress. Is it possible for self-cutting to be a positive act for the body, or are there underlying consequences that have not been brought to light?

P.S. I have no plans on self-injury. Don't bring such things into the discussion please.

at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/4440754.stm there is one paragraph that states that cutting can release endorphines.

[Cyanite]

Re: Self-Cutting and Endorphines

From what I understand, bleeding releases endorphins, not the actual cutting. They don't positively help the body either way, they're little more than the body's pain killers.

As far as it strengthening the immune system, I've never heard of that before this thread.. I don't see how bleeding can physically strengthen the immune system in any way.

[Relambrien]

Re: Self-Cutting and Endorphines

What a way to spend CT's 1,337th thread :P

But on-topic...the immune system is strengthened by being exposed to certain types of bacteria and viruses. After being exposed to it once, the immune system "remembers" the most effective combat method, and the person becomes immune to the virus from then on. Chicken pox is an example of one such illness; you can only get it once because the body fights it off easily all subsequent times.

With that in mind, it could be possible that since cutting causes bleeding, viruses could enter the body and be fought off, strengthening the immune system against subsequent attacks from the same type of virus. Of course, if that is the case, then all bleeding would have the same effect.

On the subject of endorphins, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endorphines states that they act as "natural pain killers" and produce a state of well-being. However, what causes their release is still under debate. However, a specific line in that page is interesting, "Endorphins may be released during low levels of pain and physical stimulation when it lasts over 30 minutes." Cutting would result in a low level of pain, possibly for 30 minutes or more. According to this hypothesis, cutting could cause a release of endorphins.

The Wikipedia page on self-harm (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-harm) doesn't show any specific effects from cutting that differ from natural cuts, and focuses more on what causes someone to harm themselves. It states that feelings of hyperstress and dissociation often cause a desire to harm oneself. In the case of hyperstress, a person may have a lot of emotional pain or stress, and self-harm distracts them from that pain. The release of endorphins, as stated above, may also help as a calming mechanism.

In the case of dissociation, a person may feel separated from themselves and from others, and feel unable to function. Self-harm is then used as a means to feel -something- and begin to function again.

This leads me to the conclusion that self-harm wouldn't necessarily have negative effects beyond that of a normal cut, provided the person engaged in the activity only for the purpose of attempting to improve the immune system and release endorphins. However, people who harm themselves almost always do so for other, negative reasons resulting from emotional pain or stress, which is why it's a problem.

[twitching77]

Re: Self-Cutting and Endorphines

i have a friend who cuts himself (and burns himself occasionaly). . .
as far as i'm aware he doesn't harm himself for any positive reason. . .i don't understand it myself, but he seems depressed alot.
anyhow, we talked about it once, and he told me he didn't feel pain when he cut, that when he did it "right" (lol as if there's a right way) it'd feel good.
again, i can't understand.
i've also noticed that in the last couple of years, i've never seen him sick. . .and yet he drinks and smokes quite a bit, and isn't in good shape at all.
now i don't know if he's just lucky. . .or if there's actualy something to it. . .but it's a good question.
thnx.

[remember_GURL]

Tell Him To Go Out And Have Sex, I Think Thats A Better Feeling Than Cutting Ones Self. Fact.

Also, Tell Him To Stop Being So Emo. Lifes Tough For Everybody, Everybodys Got Problems, But You Dont See Everybody Slitting Thier Wrists. They Deal With It. They Fix It.

For What Reason Is Your Friend So Sad For? It Better Be A God Damn Good Reason For Having To Slit His Wrists. Like Tell Him, There are Other Ways Of Feeling Good.

The other day I was talking to my cousin about lots of different things. At one point in our conversation the subject of self-cutting was brought up. He informed me that self-cutting is a way of releasing endorphines and strengthening one's immune system and body as long as it is not done under a time of stress. Is it possible for self-cutting to be a positive act for the body, or are there underlying consequences that have not been brought to light?

P.S. I have no plans on self-injury. Don't bring such things into the discussion please.

at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/4440754.stm there is one paragraph that states that cutting can release endorphines.

YOU KNOW ANOTHER WAY OF RELEASING ENDORPHINES? IT DOESN'T INVOLVE CUTTING YOURSELF... ITS CALLED 'EXCERSISING' YOU KNOWW THAT?.. MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD, GET IN SHAPE, AND NOT BLEED!!!.

[twitching77]

Re: Self-Cutting and Endorphines

Tell Him To Go Out And Have Sex, I Think Thats A Better Feeling Than Cutting Ones Self. Fact.

Also, Tell Him To Stop Being So Emo. Lifes Tough For Everybody, Everybodys Got Problems, But You Dont See Everybody Slitting Thier Wrists. They Deal With It. They Fix It.

For What Reason Is Your Friend So Sad For? It Better Be A God Damn Good Reason For Having To Slit His Wrists. Like Tell Him, There are Other Ways Of Feeling Good.

he's sad. . .and i can't really blame him. long story kinda. . .
one year for christmass, he asked good ol'santa for a pink pony. . .he'd been a really good boy for the entire year, and he had no reason to believe santa would hose him that particular year.
well to keep it short. . .he got a rubber ducky from santa that year.
really quite tragic, and he's been devistated ever since. . .says cutting himself makes it all feel better.

on a serious note, i am concerned about it and have been hanging out with him more lately. i haven't noticed any cuts in awhile, maybe he just needed someone to hang with.
thnx.

[RB_IcePh0enix]

Re: Self-Cutting and Endorphines

Tell Him To Go Out And Have Sex, I Think Thats A Better Feeling Than Cutting Ones Self. Fact.

Also, Tell Him To Stop Being So Emo. Lifes Tough For Everybody, Everybodys Got Problems, But You Dont See Everybody Slitting Thier Wrists. They Deal With It. They Fix It.

For What Reason Is Your Friend So Sad For? It Better Be A God Damn Good Reason For Having To Slit His Wrists. Like Tell Him, There are Other Ways Of Feeling Good.



YOU KNOW ANOTHER WAY OF RELEASING ENDORPHINES? IT DOESN'T INVOLVE CUTTING YOURSELF... ITS CALLED 'EXCERSISING' YOU KNOWW THAT?.. MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD, GET IN SHAPE, AND NOT BLEED!!!.

Gtfo out of CT, better yet these forums.

Anyways back on topic, It's really kind of sad in a way about how depressed people can be and what drastic measures they use to make themselves feel better. Personally, I think cutting is a lot better then comitting suicide, but their are other ways to feel better (and gurl, do you really feel like excersising when you're depressed?). If you've ever seen Saw 3, you'd know that it also just calms people. It lowers their heart rate too.

I have a friend who cuts herself, it's really kind of scary in way. She's a very emotional person. Sometimes she seems really happy, then other times she seems really depressed. Once she asked her boyfriend after they had been going out for about six months what he would do if she died, he just said he wouldn't care and broke up with her like that. She came into orchestra class crying, then for the next few weeks she came to school with a big wristband. One day I saw her exposed arm with lots of cuts, I couldn't believe it.

She moved, and I seriously regret not telling anybody, I was just afraid because I secretly loved her and I thought she might hate me. Cutting yourself won't fix yourself though. I've never done it, but I'm sure it does make you feel better at the time, but your problems don't go away just like that. There are other ways to feel better, counseling for instance. I think getting help is a much better solution then cutting yourself.

I never really thought about if it strengthens your immune system. It makes plently of sense actually, but being depressed and possibly suicidal isn't worth having a strong immune system.

[shatteredgravity]

Re: Self-Cutting and Endorphines

hahahahaha.. wtf, thats such a lie.
any cutting is bad cutting.
period.

[twitching77]

Re: Self-Cutting and Endorphines

Gtfo out of CT, better yet these forums.

Anyways back on topic, It's really kind of sad in a way about how depressed people can be and what drastic measures they use to make themselves feel better. Personally, I think cutting is a lot better then comitting suicide, but their are other ways to feel better (and gurl, do you really feel like excersising when you're depressed?). If you've ever seen Saw 3, you'd know that it also just calms people. It lowers their heart rate too.

I have a friend who cuts herself, it's really kind of scary in way. She's a very emotional person. Sometimes she seems really happy, then other times she seems really depressed. Once she asked her boyfriend after they had been going out for about six months what he would do if she died, he just said he wouldn't care and broke up with her like that. She came into orchestra class crying, then for the next few weeks she came to school with a big wristband. One day I saw her exposed arm with lots of cuts, I couldn't believe it.

She moved, and I seriously regret not telling anybody, I was just afraid because I secretly loved her and I thought she might hate me. Cutting yourself won't fix yourself though. I've never done it, but I'm sure it does make you feel better at the time, but your problems don't go away just like that. There are other ways to feel better, counseling for instance. I think getting help is a much better solution then cutting yourself.

I never really thought about if it strengthens your immune system. It makes plently of sense actually, but being depressed and possibly suicidal isn't worth having a strong immune system.

dude. . .very well written.
i knew a girl kinda like the one your talking about back in high school. . .i don't think she ever cut herself, but she was the same in just about every other way (very emotional, happy one day, super depressed the next, and she too moved). . .she acted like (though never mentioned it) she would commit suicide, i really liked her, but i was young and stupid, and had no idea what to say to her (that's a lie, i knew what to say, i was just too afraid to say it).
i hope she's doing okay wherever she is now.
but yeah, i too think cutting/self harming can feel good to those who do it at the time. . .but i agree as well there's better ways to feel better. . .it's sad really, i'm not so sure self-harmers believe that.

[RB_IcePh0enix]

Re: Self-Cutting and Endorphines

dude. . .very well written.
i knew a girl kinda like the one your talking about back in high school. . .i don't think she ever cut herself, but she was the same in just about every other way (very emotional, happy one day, super depressed the next, and she too moved). . .she acted like (though never mentioned it) she would commit suicide, i really liked her, but i was young and stupid, and had no idea what to say to her (that's a lie, i knew what to say, i was just too afraid to say it).
i hope she's doing okay wherever she is now.
but yeah, i too think cutting/self harming can feel good to those who do it at the time. . .but i agree as well there's better ways to feel better. . .it's sad really, i'm not so sure self-harmers believe that.

In a way, I don't blame them though. It would have to be pretty scary to tell your parents you cut yourself or you were depressed :/. But still, it would help them in the long run if they told their parents.

[YukiRamaro]

Re: Self-Cutting and Endorphines

Maybe that's why I've gotten perfect attendance the past school years?

You definetly don't have to be depressed to cut yourself, though.

I've done it a couple times just because I like the blood and I like the way the scars turn out afterwards, like a tattoo. lol. And it's not really at all that painfull. Nothing like burning. I don't burn. =/
But my friends are the same way. Couple years ago we played a stupid cutting game where we get different knives and cut eachother. Just so we can see eachother bleed.

[devonin]

Re: Self-Cutting and Endorphines

This whole thread needs help...in more ways than one.

But I guess the main way is the way in which this whole thread has nothing to do with CT.

Can the cutters move to CC or something?

[T3hDDRKid]

Re: Self-Cutting and Endorphines

Here's a topic I know way too much about.

I can't even remember how many cutters I've had to deal with. I've forgotten some.. Some I don't even know how much I helped. Some refuse to talk to me because it's not my business. They don't understand.

My girlfriend was once a cutter, even. Not the terrible kind where they slit their wrists or crisscross down their arms, but she cut herself a few times, and has a few small scars. Thankfully, I've managed to help her to suppress her urges, so she's only cut once in the past six months or so.

I've got another friend... It's kind of hard to think about this again.. She used to cut, a lot. She's got scars up and down her arms and on her thighs. I don't even know if she still does it. I did manage to get her away from an abusive father, but the whole situation still hurts me. I know I could have done more for her. She refuses to talk to me because I asked her to leave a boyfriend who was bad for her - who dates somebody six years older when they're in high school? Especially one who's abusive and... *sigh*

I wish I could just go in and fix everybody's problems. It pains me when other people do this stuff. Then again, I've got my own problems..

Another girl that I'm helping is in the middle of a crisis, and I'm hoping and praying that she manages to come out on top. She's a lesbian who's trying to go straight, her parents are getting divorced, she was raped when she was younger, and now she's cutting herself. It's not horrible, but two-inch cuts are still cuts. She scares me, though. I didn't even know about it until a week ago..

I hate being in positions like this. I know that if I screw up, if I say the wrong thing, don't say the right thing, forget about something, I could seriously screw up somebody's life. Cutting doesn't help you. It does release endorphins, but that's it.. and it's not worth it, believe me. You don't only hurt yourself when you cut..

But as much as I don't want to be, I'm where I am. I'm able to help these people out, and I'm obligated to do that. Sometimes I just want to run away, or scream at them, "Don't you know I have my own problems?" I'm the only one they can trust, though.

It pisses me off when people make fun of cutters. It's like making fun of a cripple - it's sick. Then the pure apathy of the people that know somebody cuts and do nothing to help.. It's so sad.

I could tell more stories, but they're all the same in the end. I have to go.

[Orch_Dork]

Re: Self-Cutting and Endorphines

one year for christmass, he asked good ol'santa for a pink pony. . .he'd been a really good boy for the entire year, and he had no reason to believe santa would hose him that particular year.
well to keep it short. . .he got a rubber ducky from santa that year.
really quite tragic, and he's been devistated ever since. . .says cutting himself makes it all feel better.

are you serious, When i was little I wanted things and didn't get them. tell him to get over it

[RB_IcePh0enix]

Re: Self-Cutting and Endorphines

Maybe that's why I've gotten perfect attendance the past school years?

You definetly don't have to be depressed to cut yourself, though.

I've done it a couple times just because I like the blood and I like the way the scars turn out afterwards, like a tattoo. lol. And it's not really at all that painfull. Nothing like burning. I don't burn. =/
But my friends are the same way. Couple years ago we played a stupid cutting game where we get different knives and cut eachother. Just so we can see eachother bleed.

Wow, I don't even feel sorry for you honestly. Why would you enjoy seeing the blood and having the cuts afterwords?