Opioids Why does stretching feel so intensely good during withdrawal?

[NickNightingale]

I'm surely not the only one who experiences this? It's the only reprieve from my misery. I can basically do a big, morning-style stretch, on-demand, and feel a small orgasm rippling through my muscles every time.

My only theory is that it's a combination of nerves regaining sensitivity and endorphins from the stretch. Does that sound right?

In case there is anyone out there able to give a vaguely scientific answer, the opiate in question is poppy pod, a low dose daily. The withdrawals are tolerable but still very noticeable, hence this stretching thing being so pronounced.

 

[daturetard]

Probably because your pleasure centers are not being exogenously stimulated, so rewarding activities are actually rewarding, like eating, exercise, stretching, music, petting dogs, etc. Sure these things are enjoyable on drugs, but because of the drug, not the activity.

 

[NickNightingale]

Probably because your pleasure centers are not being exogenously stimulated, so rewarding activities are actually rewarding, like eating, exercise, stretching, music, petting dogs, etc. Sure these things are enjoyable on drugs, but because of the drug, not the activity.

Sounds about right. It's a difficult one, because my life is moderately better now than before opiates. The stimulation of pleasure centres is overcome by the depression very soon after the withdrawals go. Would be great if that part of the withdrawals could be sustainable.

 

[negrogesic]

There's a few things involved im sure, but the increased norepinephrine release during opioid withdrawal leads to an increase in muscle tone and tension, so stretching temporarily releases this increased tone/tension.

But as with most things, theres a number of things going on simultaneously (like dopamine dysregulation, a desire to promote endorphin release etc)

 

[NickNightingale]

There's a few things involved im sure, but the increased norepinephrine release during opioid withdrawal leads to an increase in muscle tone and tension, so stretching temporarily releases this increased tone/tension.

But as with most things, theres a number of things going on simultaneously (like dopamine dysregulation, a desire to promote endorphin release etc)

That's interesting. Thanks for input

 

[Jabberwocky]

There's a few things involved im sure, but the increased norepinephrine release during opioid withdrawal leads to an increase in muscle tone and tension, so stretching temporarily releases this increased tone/tension.

But as with most things, theres a number of things going on simultaneously (like dopamine dysregulation, a desire to promote endorphin release etc)

The nurses at one detox would sort of pinch the muscles in my leg, starting above my Achilles heel, and did the same with my lower back. By feeling the muscles, they said it could help them gauge where I was at with my withdrawal