When we think about the euphoric feelings that come from exercise, laughter, or even a delicious meal, it’s easy to take for granted that they all trace back to the chemicals in our brain.
We often hear that these feelings are a result of endorphins, the “feel-good” chemicals released by our central nervous system.
But have you ever wondered who first identified the intricate mechanisms behind those feelings?
Or how the discovery was made?
Candace Pert, an American neuroscientist, is one of the unsung heroes of this field, and her discovery has had profound implications on how we understand the brain and the body.
Back in 1972, while still a graduate student, Pert made a discovery that forever changed our understanding of how the brain’s natural painkillers—endorphins—work.
She identified the opiate receptor in the brain, a key site where endorphins and other natural painkillers bond with cells, triggering the euphoric sensations that we experience.
This discovery was monumental, providing an essential link between neurotransmitters and the way our bodies experience pleasure and pain relief.
But Candace Pert’s work isn’t the only groundbreaking contribution by women in science.
Across different fields, women have been responsible for uncovering mysteries of the human body that have impacted modern medicine in ways that still echo today.
Immediate Reward: The Brain’s Opiate Receptor and the Power of Endorphins
Let’s start with Candace Pert’s discovery, because understanding how our brain’s opiate receptors work has huge implications not only for the science of pain management but for our general wellbeing.
It all began in 1972, when Pert, then a graduate student, was part of a team of researchers who identified the brain’s opiate receptor.
This receptor is where endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, bind to cells, triggering a cascade of signals that create those uplifting sensations.
The immediate reward from this discovery was the ability to better understand how the body’s natural mechanisms for pain relief work.
While many people were familiar with the idea that exercise, chocolate, or even positive social interactions could release endorphins, Pert’s groundbreaking research helped pinpoint the biological process behind this phenomenon.
It wasn’t just an abstract idea—it was anchored in science.
This discovery has proven invaluable in many ways.
For example, by understanding how these natural painkillers work in our brain, researchers were able to develop medications that mimic or enhance this process.
This, in turn, has led to better treatment options for individuals suffering from chronic pain or addiction.
However, while Pert’s work is often celebrated in scientific circles, it’s easy to overlook just how significant it was at the time.
In a field dominated by men, Candace Pert’s discovery came with challenges and obstacles—yet her groundbreaking work paved the way for advancements in neurology, psychology, and pharmacology.
The Pattern Interrupt: Shifting the Spotlight from Men to Women in Science
We often hear about the groundbreaking work of male scientists—names like Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, and Charles Darwin dominate the history books.
But when we look closely, the contributions of women to science are just as remarkable, if not more so in some cases.
Yet, for a long time, many of these women remained hidden behind the curtain of history.
A striking example of this is Elizabeth Blackburn, an Australian-born scientist whose work has had a profound impact on the field of genetics and aging.
In 1984, Blackburn made a pivotal discovery that has since reshaped our understanding of cellular aging: she discovered telomerase, an enzyme that helps repair the shortened telomeres at the ends of chromosomes.
Now, you may have heard of telomeres before—they are often discussed as the “caps” that protect our DNA.
Telomeres shorten over time as our cells divide, and when they become too short, they contribute to aging and age-related diseases.
For years, the idea that telomeres shorten with each cell division was well established, but the mystery of how to repair or counteract this shortening remained elusive.
That is, until Elizabeth Blackburn and her colleagues uncovered the presence of telomerase.
This discovery has had far-reaching implications in the fields of aging, cancer research, and cellular biology.
It challenged the long-standing assumption that telomere shortening was irreversible.
In fact, Blackburn’s research opened the door for potential therapies that could reverse or slow down the aging process, offering hope for treating diseases like cancer, heart disease, and even neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s.
Here’s the kicker: despite her monumental discovery, Blackburn’s name is often overshadowed by male counterparts in the media.
Yet her work is transforming modern medicine—a discovery that now forms the foundation of aging research and anti-aging therapies.
The Contrarian View: Women’s Work in Science Still Faces a Gender Gap
Now, let’s stop and think about something crucial: Why does it take decades for the stories of women like Candace Pert and Elizabeth Blackburn to get the recognition they deserve?
The answer lies in a long-standing gender gap that has existed in scientific research.
Despite making major breakthroughs, women in science have faced systemic challenges—from lack of funding to outright dismissal of their work.
In the case of Candace Pert, her work was initially met with resistance in the scientific community.
Male colleagues dismissed her findings, and it wasn’t until years later that the impact of her research was fully appreciated.
She often described the obstacles she faced not just in the lab but in getting her findings taken seriously.
Similarly, Elizabeth Blackburn’s discovery of telomerase was initially met with skepticism, with many male scientists claiming that the findings were inconclusive or insignificant.
Yet, as time passed, Blackburn’s work became indispensable in understanding cellular aging, and today it continues to drive research in aging and longevity.
While these two women have been celebrated in more recent years, their journey to recognition was far from straightforward.
Their perseverance in the face of adversity serves as a reminder that science is as much about breaking barriers as it is about breaking through new frontiers of knowledge.
The Women Behind the Greatest Scientific Discoveries
The examples of Candace Pert and Elizabeth Blackburn serve as powerful illustrations of how women in science have shaped our understanding of the human body and its functions.
Both women, along with countless others, have revolutionized fields like neurology, genetics, and cellular biology.
For instance, Marie Curie’s work in radioactivity led to the development of treatments for cancer.
Rosalind Franklin’s x-ray images were pivotal in discovering the structure of DNA.
And more recently, Jennifer Doudna’s groundbreaking work on CRISPR has opened the door to gene editing technologies that could one day cure genetic disorders.
Yet, despite these monumental contributions, women in science still face considerable hurdles.
Gender bias, unequal representation, and disparities in funding continue to limit women’s opportunities in research and leadership roles within scientific institutions.
According to a 2019 report, women make up only 28% of the global scientific workforce and are often relegated to lower-paying positions with less recognition.
But the good news is that these barriers are beginning to break down.
Today’s women scientists are shattering stereotypes and making their voices heard.
Initiatives like the #MeTooSTEM movement and programs aimed at increasing women’s representation in scientific leadership are helping to level the playing field, and more and more young girls are being inspired to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Looking Ahead: The Future of Women in Science
As we celebrate the achievements of Candace Pert, Elizabeth Blackburn, and others, it’s essential to keep pushing forward.
The scientific community is evolving, and women are leading the charge in some of the most exciting areas of research today.
From space exploration to climate science and artificial intelligence, women are making critical contributions to the future of our world.
However, to truly unlock the full potential of science, we must ensure that women’s voices are not just heard but celebrated.
With programs in place to encourage young women to pursue STEM fields, increased funding for women-led research, and a collective commitment to gender equity, the future of science is brighter than ever before.
Candace Pert’s discovery of the brain’s opiate receptor, Elizabeth Blackburn’s work on telomerase, and the achievements of women in science continue to inspire a new generation of scientists who will go on to make even greater discoveries.
Conclusion: Science Is Not Just for Men—It’s for Everyone
As we reflect on the incredible contributions of women to science, let’s remember that science knows no gender.
Every discovery, whether it’s about the brain’s endorphins or the mysteries of aging, has the power to change our understanding of the world.
And as we continue to celebrate and support the groundbreaking work of women like Candace Pert and Elizabeth Blackburn, we can look forward to a future where science is more inclusive, more innovative, and more impactful than ever before.
So, the next time you think about the powerful effects of endorphins or the aging process, remember the brilliant women whose work has transformed our understanding and whose legacy continues to inspire scientific progress for generations to come.
