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Study breakdown

Self-Harm and the Opioid System: Why People Who Self-Injure May Have Altered Endorphins

evidence
The takeaway

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is associated with altered endogenous opioid systems — self-harm may produce opioid release that provides emotional relief, explaining why it becomes addictive despite being painful.

Key finding

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is associated with altered endogenous opioid systems — self-harm may produce opioid release that provides emotional re

What the researchers found

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is associated with altered endogenous opioid systems — self-harm may produce opioid release that provides emotional relief, explaining why it becomes addictive despite being painful.

Why it matters

Relevant for peptide research.

How the study worked

research study.

What this study cannot tell us

See abstract.

How to read the evidence

emerging evidence.

When this study was published

Published in 2010.

The bigger picture

Advances peptide research.

Questions still open

  • Further research needed.

Common questions

What was studied?
Self-Harm and the Opioid System: Why People Who Self-Injure May Have Altered Endorphins
What was found?
Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is associated with altered endogenous opioid systems — self-harm may produce opioid release that provides emotional relief, explaining why it becomes addictive despite being painful.

Read the original research

Non-suicidal self-injurious behavior, endogenous opioids and monoamine neurotransmitters.

Journal of affective disorders, 124(1-2), 134-40

Citation

Stanley, Barbara; Sher, Leo; Wilson, Scott; Ekman, Rolf; Huang, Yung-yu; Mann, J John. (2010). Non-suicidal self-injurious behavior, endogenous opioids and monoamine neurotransmitters.. Journal of affective disorders, 124(1-2), 134-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2009.10.028