Effects of naltrexone on repressive coping and disclosure of emotional material: a test of the opioid-peptide hypothesis of repression and hypertension.
OBJECTIVE
The present study was designed to assess the role of endogenous opioids in the relationship of hypertension to repressive coping.


METHODS
Ten hypertensive and 8 normotensive males were given either the opioid antagonist naltrexone or placebo in a randomized, double-blind fashion over the course of four laboratory sessions. Measures of repression and disclosure were completed and blood pressure was assessed during a laboratory stressor protocol.


RESULTS
Opioid antagonism reduced repression and increased disclosure only in the hypertensive group. Also, opioid antagonism increased stress-related systolic blood pressure only in the hypertensive group.


CONCLUSIONS
The results support the hypothesis that endogenous opioid dysregulation underlies both hypertension and repressive phenomena.
Younger
Jarred W
JW
Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesia, Pain Research, MC 5747, 780 Welch Rd., Suite 208, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA. jyounger@stanford.edu
Lawler-Row
Kathleen A
KA
Moe
Krista A
KA
Kratz
Anna L
AL
Keenum
Amy J
AJ
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects*; D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D001794:Blood Pressure; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018847:Opioid Peptides / Q000502:physiology*; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012094:Repression, Psychology; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology
D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D018847:Opioid Peptides; D009271:Naltrexone