Endogenous is the opposite of exogenous, which means originating outside a living organism.
This is a common method of disease treatment.
This article describes some common endogenous substances, some of which also have exogenous counterparts.
David Murray and Jules Selmes / Getty Images
Endogenous Opioids
Your body can manufacture its own pain relief in the form of endogenous opioid compounds.
Opioid medications work similarly, by blocking pain receptors.
However, opioid medication dosing is tricky, and the side effects can be dangerous.
Side effects are not a problem with endogenous opioids.
Endogenous Autoantibodies
Your immune system is designed to fight against foreign invaders like viruses and bacteria.
These endogenousautoantibodiesoriginate within the body and are called “auto” antibodies because they’re attacking their own organism.
Other treatments, like dietary modification for celiac disease or insulin for diabetes, are needed instead.
Put simply, the disease makes it harder and harder to breathe.
Medical researchers have investigated what triggers this problem, and have pinpointed several potential culprits.
National Cancer Institute.NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: Endogenous.
Corliss J.How its made: Cholesterol production in your body.
2021 Aug 10;16:2279-2289. doi:10.2147/COPD.S314349
Holden JE et al.
The endogenous opioid system and clinical pain management.
AACN Clinical Issues; 16(3):291-301.
