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Effects of Naltrexone on Repressive Coping and Disclosure of Emotional Material: A Test of the Opioid-Peptide Hypothesis of Repression and Hypertension

From the Division of Pain Management, Department of Anesthesia, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California (J.W.Y.); the Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee (K.A.L.-R.); the Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky (K.A.M.); the Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona (A.L.K.); and the Department of Family Medicine, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Knoxville, Tennessee (A.J.K.).

Objective: The present study was designed to assess the role of endogenous opioids in the relationship of hypertension to repressive coping.

Methods: Ten hypertensive and 8 normotensive males were given either the opioid antagonist naltrexone or placebo in a randomized, double-blind fashion over the course of four laboratory sessions. Measures of repression and disclosure were completed and blood pressure was assessed during a laboratory stressor protocol.

Results: Opioid antagonism reduced repression and increased disclosure only in the hypertensive group. Also, opioid antagonism increased stress-related systolic blood pressure only in the hypertensive group.

Conclusion: The results support the hypothesis that endogenous opioid dysregulation underlies both hypertension and repressive phenomena.

Key Words: hypertension • repression • disclosure • opioids • comorbidity • naltrexone

Abbreviations: DBP = diastolic blood pressure; SBP = systolic blood pressure; POMS = Profile of Mood States; LCC = Life Concerns Checklist; MAS = Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale; MCSDS = Social Desirability Scale; TAS = Toronto Alexithymia Scale.