title: Opioids: from physical pain to the pain of social isolation.
abstract: The opioid systems play an important role in mediating both physical pain and negative affects (eg, the pain of social isolation). From an evolutionary perspective, it is not surprising that the neurocircuitry and neurochemistry of physical pain would overlap with that involved in complex social emotions. Exposure to trauma as well as a range of gene variants in the opioid system may be associated with alterations in opioid systems function, with changes in reward processing, and with vulnerability to substance abuse. A role for interventions with opioid agents in depression and anxiety disorders has been suggested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health and Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Dan J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van Honk
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ipser
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Solms
authors.forename: Jaak
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Panksepp
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004723:Endorphins / Q000378:metabolism; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000187:drug effects; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D059408:Pain Management; D011613:Psychotherapy; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D012059:Rejection, Psychology; D012934:Social Isolation / Q000523:psychology*