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Cited by 48Diversity and Impact of DanceAction Observation and SynchronizationNeuroendocrine regulation and behavior

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‘Naltrexone Blocks Endorphins Released when Dancing in Synchrony’

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Tarr, Bronwyn, Launay, Jacques, Benson, Catharine, Dunbar, Robin I. M.·2017·Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology
DOI 10.1007/s40750-017-0067-y
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Abstract

Group synchronised dance is hypothesised to activate the Endogenous Opioid System (EOS), thereby increasing pain threshold, and encouraging social closeness. Previous studies have been limited to the use of pain threshold as a proxy indicator of EOS activation. We conducted a double-blind administration of placebo and naltrexone (an endorphin antagonist) before groups of strangers danced in synchrony and measured both pain threshold and sense of belonging to the group after dancing. A 100 mg dose of naltrexone resulted in significant hyperalgesic effects compared to the control participants, confirming that increases in pain threshold in the control group are due to activation of the EOS and release of endorphins during synchronised dancing. However, there was no significant effect of treatment on perceptions of social closeness. Social bonding during dance may plausibly be underpinned by elements of the EOS not blocked by naltrexone and/or interactions with other neurohormones and socio-cognitive mechanisms.

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  • Tarr and colleagues conducted a naltrexone-placebo double blind trial to determine whether increases in positive mood, pain threshold and self-reported social closeness between strangers following synchronised dance are suppressed in the test condition.

    “Tarr and colleagues conducted a naltrexone-placebo double blind trial to determine whether increases in positive mood, pain threshold and self-reported social closeness between strangers following synchronised dance is suppressed in the test condition.”

    From Five studies evaluating the impact on mental health and mood of recalling, reading, and discussing fiction (2022) · cites this paper as [109]

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Metadata

Authors
Tarr, B., Launay, J., Benson, C., & Dunbar, R. I. M.
Affiliations
University of Oxford (GB)
Corresponding author
Tarr, Bronwyn
ORCID
Venue
Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2017-05-18
Volume
3
Issue
3
Pages
241-254
ISSN
2198-7335 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1007/s40750-017-0067-y
OpenAlex
W2616718763
Cited by
48
References
24
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 1
FWCI
4.63
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
European Research Council (295663)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Visual Arts and Performing Arts › Diversity and Impact of Dance
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Action Observation and Synchronization
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
Keywords
naltrexone, endorphins, endogenous opioid system, group synchrony, pain threshold, hyperalgesia, social bonding, sense of belonging, social proximity, placebo

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