Neuropharmacological Basis of Social Connection: The Role of Opioids

Inclusion Criteria: Inclusion criteria for the study require that participants be in good health, between the ages of 18 and 35, fluent in English, have access to text messaging technology, and have at least 8 close friends and family members who would be willing to be contacted in regards to the study (for the social connection lab task) and be willing to provide 2 pictures of a close other (for the threat of shock task). Exclusion Criteria: Following an email screening and structured telephone interview, prospective participants with the following conditions will not advance to the in- person screening session: pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the next 6 months, presence of chronic mental or physical illness, history of allergies, liver, or other severe chronic diseases, current and regular use of prescription medications, or previous history of fainting during blood draws. Furthermore, the absence of significant health problems or medication use history will be confirmed by an in-person screening session. Any participant who has any of the following conditions will be ineligible for the study: (1) Any and all medical conditions, especially hepatitis or liver failure. Psychiatric Disorders. (2) current and/or lifetime history of a major Depressive Disorder or other Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Diploma in Social Medicine (DSM-IV) psychiatric disorder (e.g. substance dependence) (3) current and/or past regular use of analgesics such as opioids; (4) current and/or past regular use of psychotropic medications, including selective serotonergic reuptake inhibitors, antidepressants, anxiolytics, hypnotics, sedatives and barbiturates. Health factors. (5) current smokers (13) body mass index (BMI) greater than 35, (14) shows evidence of drug use from a urine test, (15) has a positive pregnancy test, if female, or (16) shows any abnormalities on screening laboratory tests.