The number of people who die from a drug overdose or opioid usecontinues to rise in the U.S. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every day 91 Americans die from an opioid overdose.
But results from a new study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology suggest a naturally occurring hormone called oxytocin could be key to improving drug addiction treatment.
Oxytocin is most often associated with childbirth and breastfeeding. It’s often referred to as the love hormone for its ability to lower anxiety and produce feelings of pleasure. Deep breathing, hugging someone and laughing are also activities that prompt the brain’s release of oxytocin.
This hormone can greatly influence emotion and social behavior. Because of these calming traits, many studies have looked at the connection between oxytocin and addiction.
After reviewing all the published studies on this link, University of London researchers found oxytocin levels are heavily impacted by opioid use. In other words, opioids activate certain brain pathways that stimulate pleasure. This feel-good sensation keeps the drug user coming back for more. However, the more a user takes the drugs, the higher the brain’s tolerance to the effects of the drug, meaning a higher dose is needed to experience the same effects. The lack of oxytocin release after getting clean is often what causes addicts to relapse.
The researchers hope this greater understanding of the oxytocin-addiction relationship will help scientists develop new treatments for opioid addiction, and keep addicts firmly on the road to recovery.