Social Connectedness Can Decrease Opioid Usage

In America, the opioid epidemic has always been a large topic of discussion.  However, the "connections between bonding, stress, and pain" could be a major step in addressing this problem. By gaining a strong understanding of biology and the underlaying factors between social relationships and the opioid system, we can further gain insight for treatment, stated Larry Young, a professor of psychiatry at Emory University. For example, a study shows that having a partner present can actually reduce pain, as it's linked to activation of mu-opioid receptors in the brain. Furthermore, another study revealed that administering an opioid blocker decreased people's feelings of social connectedness. Overall, it is shown that bonding changes your pain threshold, so if that bond is lost then your pain reduction is lost. Therefore, if we want to decrease the opioid usage, then forming relationships and bonds with others are key to form and uphold.



Original Source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-social-life-of-opioids/