Are the Endorphins Involved in Mediating the Mood Effects of Ethanol?

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Abstract
The opiate antagonist naloxone was used in a double-blind study of endorphin involvement in ethanol intoxication. Naloxone should block the effect of any endorphins released during ethanol intoxication. Healthy human subjects received i.v. ethanol plus naloxone i.v. ethanol plus saline, i.v. saline plus naloxone or i.v. saline plus saline. There were 20 subjects in each group. Anxiety was aroused after administration of the i.v. fluids. The effects of ethanol were clear in terms of the mood and physiological measures used, but were not modified by naloxone. A mean blood alcohol concentration of 63 mg/100 ml did not modify the experience of anxiety.