N&PD Moderators: Skorpio
What is the biochemical basis of opiate irritability?
Transcendence
Bluelighter
Why do opiates make a lot of people more irritable and impatient than usual? It doesn't seem to make sense, given how relaxed and euphoric they make you feel. Yet I notice that I feel irritability even when I'm alone on opiates. I'll even get annoyed at my own thoughts. When I'm with other people, I find myself constantly wishing they would stfu. Before I take the opiates, I'll be totally calm and patient.
Just a guess but likely Kappa receptor agonism? Its prob a whole lot more complex, and would be surprised if anyone had a comprehensive explanation.
Irritability is such a subjective feeling, its hard to quantify let alone investigate the underlying mechanisms.
Anyone got a real answer?
Epsilon Alpha
Bluelighter
Well the whole "MOR inhibition of GABA release" hypothesis might play a role. It's probably some complex interaction on a few systems like benzo paradoxical reactions.
sekio
Bluelight Crew
This x 1000
Haoma
Greenlighter
I've wondered this as well in the past. I couldn't say from a biological view, but from an evolutionary view when something is in pain (and releases endorphins) it would help self preservation to be angry and irritated at whatever is causing the pain. We are just side stepping the whole part of pain with opiates and left with the anger and irritability without a clear target, so we take it out on everything.
If I had to guess I'd go with it being KOR mediated though.
Pilll_head
Bluelighter
I've noticed the irritability more with too much oxy (but not so much when I have too much hydro). Since oxy is more stimulating than hydro, the irritability side-effect doesn't surprise me too much. I don't know which receptor is involved (norepinephrine possibly?) but I'll bet it's related to the insomnia I get from opiates.
but I'm always trying to improve