Cited by 330Neuroendocrine regulation and behaviorNeuropeptides and Animal PhysiologyAttachment and Relationship Dynamics

Effects of morphine and naloxone on separation distress and approach attachment: Evidence for opiate mediation of social affect

Herman, Barbara H., Panksepp, Jaak·1978·Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior

Abstract

In order to determine the relationship between endorphins and social attachment, the effects of morphine (an opiate agonist) and naloxone (an opiate antagonist) on various indices of attachment in guinea pigs were studied. In infants, crying or separation-induced distress vocalizations were significantly decreased by single injections of low morphine doses (0.25, .050 and 0.75 mg/kg) in a dose-dependent manner. Naloxone (1mg/kg1 reliably increased separation distress vocalizations in both juvenile and adult guinea pigs. Therefore, similar to opiate withdrawal symptoms, separation distress appeared to be alleviated by morphine and potentiated by naloxone. As for approach attachment, offspring/maternal proximity-maintenance time was significantly decreased by morphine (1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg), suggesting that opiates may be capable of replacing a function normally subserved by endorphins in reinforcing attachments. These data support the hypothesis that an endorphin-based addiction-like process may underlie the maintenance of social attachments, and that separation distress may reflect a state of endogenous "endorphin withdrawal".

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Crossref · 10.1016/0091-3057(78)90167-3

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Authors
Herman, B. H., & Panksepp, J.
Affiliations
Bowling Green State University (US)
Venue
Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
1978-08
Volume
9
Issue
2
Pages
213-220
ISSN
0091-3057 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W1970344711
Cited by
330
References
46
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 11
FWCI
17.35
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
Keywords
morphine, naloxone, separation distress, social attachment, endorphins, opioid withdrawal, guinea pig, infant crying, social affect
MeSH terms
Aged, Animals, Drug Interactions, Emotions, Female, Guinea Pigs, Humans, Male, Morphine, Naloxone, Social Behavior, Vocalization, Animal

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