Neurochemical Control of Crying
This is an old article, but it remains one of my favorites. In 1979, a group at the University of NC had the idea that there might be a connection between the crying (distress vocalizations or DV) of chicks and narcotic addiction. They made this connection because opiate drugs are very potent in reducing distress vocalizations. This may seem self-evident on one level. Give the little one a painkiller, and they will stop crying. But remember they were not measuring physical pain. This was the emotional pain of separation. Yah, you say, “knock em out,” and of course they will feel no pain.
But they and I were intrigued that the DV reduction occurred at very low dosage of the drugs - long before any sedative effects were observed. And my hunch is when you are talking about “very low dosage”, we can infer a similarity with the pain killing effects of sugar. But let's go on with the experiment.
The scientists took 5-day-old chicks and measured the number of times they cried when taken away from mama chick. They gave some chicks saline. The salt-water chicks cried 821 times in 10 minutes. They gave the chicks a low dose of morphine. They cried 115 times in 10 minutes. If they gave the chicks a morphine blocker, the crying went right back up. Their scientific conclusion after a whole number of complex experiments was “the opioid system may have considerable neurochemical specificity in the control of distress vocalizations.” 1
Opioids block isolation distress. What does this mean for us? Opioids sit in beta-endorphin receptor sites. Low beta-endorphin means greater vulnerability to separation pain. Low beta-endorphin means greater vulnerability to isolation distress. We feel ourselves “outside the circle,” “not a part of,” “not good enough, valued or wanted.” We feel isolated, alone and alien.
And when we use alcohol, sugar or drugs, we feel like we belong. We feel connected, loved, a part of the group, and valued. Until the drug effect wears off. Then, it's worse. And we don't generally make the connection to feeling worse in withdrawal from things like sugar. We only make the connection that if we eat sweet stuff, bread or pasta, life is manageable. These foods are called “comfort foods” because the comfort is real. On a cellular level, the beta-endorphin response makes us feel loved, and makes us feel safe.
Because of our biochemistry, if we use these (alcohol, drugs or sugars) all the time, we will develop tolerance. We will need “more” to feel better. If we stop using for a while and then go back, we get a bigger hit of comfort. Our non-sugar sensitive friends have no clue of the power of that first “comfort” running after warm bread or a hit of fudge sundae.
Our food recovery can bring an intriguing dilemma. If we are diligent about staying away from sweet foods and white things, our cravings drop, but our sense of isolation may emerge. Our food is good, but we feel disconnected and out of sorts. It makes no sense. There should be no reason for feeling his way.
But there is a reason. The old beta-endorphin needs cranking up. We have to “add in” something to the equation. Exercise, music, meditation, dance, laughter, sex, inspirational talks, meditation, yoga all raise beta-endorphin. Raise beta-endorphin and you will feel connected and cared for. Simple chemistry.
1Panksepp, J et al. The Neurochemical Control of Crying ,Pharmacology Biochemistry & Behavior , Vol. 12, pp.437-443.
Panksepp, J et al ., Endogenous opioids and social behavior .Neuroscience Biobehavior Rev. 1980 Winter;4(4):473-87.
Panksepp, J et al ., Brain opioids and mother-infant social motivation. Acta Paediatr Suppl. 1994 Jun;397:40-6. Review.
(c) Kathleen DesMaisons 2006. All rights reserved.
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