Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis01:37

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis

59.3K
The response to stress—be it physical or psychological, acute or chronic—involves activation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis is part of the neuroendocrine system because it involves both neuronal and hormonal communication. Its function is to regulate homeostatic systems—metabolic, cardiovascular, and immune—providing the necessary means to respond to a stressor.
59.3K
Physiological Foundation of Stress01:24

Physiological Foundation of Stress

48
Stress triggers a coordinated physiological response involving the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This dual activation ensures that the body is prepared for both immediate and prolonged stress management. The process begins with the perception of a stressor. This initial phase activates the SNS, leading to the rapid release of adrenaline (epinephrine) from the adrenal glands.
Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System
Adrenaline triggers the...
48
Analgesia and Pain Management01:25

Analgesia and Pain Management

518
Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
518
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids01:15

Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids

230
Synthetic and semisynthetic opioids are pivotal in pain management and tackling opioid addiction. Semisynthetic opioids, including morphinans (morphine derivatives), oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone, have improved pharmacokinetic profiles compared to morphine. Additionally, heroin and 6-MAM (6-Monoacetylmorphine) show better CNS penetration than morphine due to heightened lipid solubility. Hydromorphone, a potent opioid, undergoes hepatic metabolism to form the active...
230
Opioid Receptors: Overview01:22

Opioid Receptors: Overview

538
Opioid receptors, including the mu (μ, MOR), delta (δ, DOR), and kappa (κ, KOR) types, belong to the rhodopsin family of G protein-coupled receptors. These receptors are located throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems and in non-neuronal tissues such as macrophages and astrocytes. Opioid receptor ligands can be categorized into agonists or antagonists. Highly selective agonists include [d-Ala2, MePhe4, Gly(ol)5]-enkephalin or DAMGO for MOR, [D-Pen2,...
538
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle01:27

Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle

83
Stress is a multifaceted response to events perceived as challenging or threatening, highlighting physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physically, stress can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and various health issues such as frequent colds, chest pains, and nausea. Emotionally, it can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger triggered by both minor and major life events. Cognitively, it may result in difficulty in concentration, memory, and...
83

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Low-Dose Buprenorphine Initiations During Opioid and Sedative Weaning in Mechanically Ventilated Neurocritical Care Patients: A Retrospective Pilot Cohort Study.

Neurocritical care·2026
Same author

Buprenorphine Initiation During Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Decreases Sedative and Opioid Exposure: A Retrospective Matched Case-Control Study.

Pharmacotherapy·2026
Same author

Pilot testing a multi-level stigma intervention to improve substance use care with providers in mental health settings: A cluster-randomized trial.

Journal of substance use and addiction treatment·2026
Same author

Longitudinal analysis of symptoms and healthcare utilization among daily cannabis-using persons living with HIV: impact of co-occurring cocaine use.

Journal of cannabis research·2026
Same author

<i>Kappa</i>-opioid receptor gene (<i>OPRK1</i>) variations associated with opioid abstinence behaviors among chronic heroin users.

Frontiers in pharmacology·2025
Same author

Post-discharge use of opioids, psychostimulants, and treatment medications following residential opioid discontinuation with NET Device™ monotherapy.

Frontiers in psychiatry·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 7, 2025

Restraint to Induce Stress in Mice and Rats
03:48

Restraint to Induce Stress in Mice and Rats

Published on: December 6, 2024

1.1K

Basal cortisol level modulates stress-induced opioid-seeking behavior.

Mark K Greenwald1,2, Eric A Woodcock1,3, Tabitha E H Moses1

  • 1Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.

Neurobiology of Stress
|November 11, 2024
PubMed
Summary

Yohimbine and hydrocortisone increased stress responses and opioid-seeking in individuals with opioid use disorder. Lower baseline cortisol levels predicted greater drug-seeking when these systems were stimulated, suggesting new treatment targets.

Keywords:
CortisolGlucocorticoidNoradrenergicOpioid seekingStress

More Related Videos

Reinstatement of Drug-seeking in Mice Using the Conditioned Place Preference Paradigm
08:29

Reinstatement of Drug-seeking in Mice Using the Conditioned Place Preference Paradigm

Published on: June 7, 2018

11.5K
A Conflict Model of Reward-seeking Behavior in Male Rats
06:11

A Conflict Model of Reward-seeking Behavior in Male Rats

Published on: February 20, 2019

7.4K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 7, 2025

Restraint to Induce Stress in Mice and Rats
03:48

Restraint to Induce Stress in Mice and Rats

Published on: December 6, 2024

1.1K
Reinstatement of Drug-seeking in Mice Using the Conditioned Place Preference Paradigm
08:29

Reinstatement of Drug-seeking in Mice Using the Conditioned Place Preference Paradigm

Published on: June 7, 2018

11.5K
A Conflict Model of Reward-seeking Behavior in Male Rats
06:11

A Conflict Model of Reward-seeking Behavior in Male Rats

Published on: February 20, 2019

7.4K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychopharmacology
  • Addiction Medicine

Background:

  • Yohimbine, an α2-noradrenergic antagonist, promotes drug-seeking behavior.
  • Glucocorticoid receptor agonists like hydrocortisone also influence stress and reward pathways.
  • Understanding the combined effects of these systems is crucial for addiction treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the dose-dependent effects of yohimbine and hydrocortisone, alone and in combination, on stress-reactivity and opioid-seeking.
  • To model the intensity-dependent stimulation of noradrenergic and glucocorticoid systems.
  • To investigate the role of basal cortisol levels in modulating these effects.

Main Methods:

  • A double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject study with 12 participants diagnosed with opioid use disorder (OUD) stabilized on buprenorphine.
  • Administration of varying oral doses of yohimbine (0, 27, 54 mg) and hydrocortisone (0, 20, 40 mg) in a 3x3 factorial design.
  • Assessment of subjective effects, cardiovascular responses, salivary cortisol and α-amylase, and a progressive ratio task for opioid vs. money reinforcement.

Main Results:

  • Yohimbine increased blood pressure, α-amylase, and anxiety, while decreasing opioid withdrawal symptoms.
  • Hydrocortisone increased cortisol levels.
  • Combined yohimbine and hydrocortisone shifted responding towards opioid-seeking in participants with lower baseline cortisol.

Conclusions:

  • Noradrenergic and glucocorticoid system stimulation potentiates opioid-seeking behavior, particularly in individuals with lower baseline cortisol.
  • Basal HPA-axis activity and acute stressors can increase the relative reinforcing efficacy of opioids in individuals with OUD on buprenorphine.
  • These findings highlight potential limitations of current OUD treatments and suggest novel intervention targets to mitigate stress-induced opioid-seeking.