Shifting the sociometer: opioid receptor blockade lowers self-esteem

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Evolutionary Biology

Background:

• Humans possess psychobiological mechanisms to maintain social bonds, crucial for survival.
• Self-esteem acts as a 'sociometer,' gauging social belongingness.
• Endogenous opioids are implicated in the hedonic signaling of social behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if endogenous opioids correlate with the sociometer function.
• To examine the effects of opioid receptor antagonism on self-esteem and social attention.

Main Methods:

• 26 participants received naltrexone (opioid antagonist) and placebo in a counterbalanced crossover design.
• Self-esteem levels and attentional bias to accepting faces were measured.

Main Results:

• Naltrexone administration led to lower self-esteem, particularly self-liking.
• Participants showed a heightened attentional bias towards accepting faces after naltrexone.
• These effects suggest increased social need under opioid blockade.

Conclusions:

• Endogenous opioids may serve as a biological correlate of the sociometer.
• Opioid signaling is crucial for regulating self-esteem and social motivation.
• Findings inform understanding of sociality, self-esteem, and psychopathology.