Pharmacology - Alcohol effecting opiate receptors in certain individuals?

[Jiggles]

SWIM recently read in another thread about alcohol possibly effecting opioid receptors in certain people, depending on genetic predisposition. SWIM finds this very interesting, as it could help explain why alcohol is more euphoric to some individuals than others.

In SWIMS personal experience, alcohol is one of the most euphoric drugs of all. More so than most psychedelics he has tried, and definitely on par with opiates. SWIMs friends all love drinking too, but they don't seem to feel the same waves of euphoria that swim gets. It really does feel like an opiate high for swim, pretty close to something like oxycodone.

SWIM found this article about a study done on rats here http://www.scienceblog.com/community...200110253.html

[top]Probing the role of the delta opioid receptor in alcohol consumption

• The body's endogenous opioid system has three classes of opioid receptors: mu, delta, and kappa.
• Previous research showed that mice lacking the mu opioid receptor do not drink alcohol.
• A new study shows that mice lacking the delta opioid receptor drink more alcohol.
• The delta opioid receptor may also play a mediating role between stress and alcohol consumption.

Any other swiys out there who feel like alcohol gives them an opiate type of feeling?

[rhcpeppers1234]

Swim wouldnt say that it gives him an opiate feeling. But swim is almost always very happy when hes drunk. More so than his friends for sure.

[chillinwill]

This theory also explains why many opiate addicts turn to alcohol when detoxing or trying to get clean. They often relapse on alcohol as it works on almost the same receptor sites as opiates

[sirmoonie]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

SWIM recently read in another thread about alcohol possibly effecting opioid receptors in certain people, depending on genetic predisposition.

Any other swiys out there who feel like alcohol gives them an opiate type of feeling?

SWIM did, absolutely. Especially when SWIM would stay away from alcohol for two weeks or so. Then, 3-5 quick drinks (20 minutes) on empty stomach would cause same strong euphoric rise as SWIM recalls from shooting up morphine, except SWIM felt more in control. It took SWIM some balancing, but mixing in periodic caffeine pills (harder stimulants would kill it) with careful drinking maintenance could increase duration of that particular euphoric feeling for 4-5 hours. Those particular adventures were usually planned a bit in advance and were among few times SWIM liked to drink absolutely alone, although it was not required.

But SWIM could get that particular feel at some point and to some degree everytime he drank, even if SWIM had been drinking steadily for week(s).

[bcubed]

Well, that fits, given (opiate antagonist) naltrexone's use in treating alcoholism. From wikipedia:

Naltrexone has two effects on alcohol consumption. The first is to reduce craving while naltrexone is being taken. The second, referred to as the Sinclair Method, occurs when naltrexone is taken in conjunction with normal drinking, and this reduces craving over time. The first effect only persists while the naltrexone is being taken, but the second persists as long as the alcoholic does not drink without first taking naltrexone.

Lizard happens to have a (legal) supply of naloxone. If he finds someone to administer it--not doing it himself while drunk--it'd be interesting to see how it changes the alcohol high.

Lizard agrees that oxycodone (in particular) feels like a clear-headed drunk to him.