re: Are we genetically predisposed to enjoying opiates?

Not gonna lie though, it's kinda fun to pop one or two and then just chill on the couch at night watching TV on those few occasions I get prescribed for something. I'd never drink or do anything else while doing those though like kids do these days I guess

No I firmly disagree that we are all “genetically predisposed to enjoying opiates”. I have a great deal of experience when it comes to opiate abuse and I guess you can say I’m kind off a junkie amateur anthropologist. There are about 50% of the population that can be prescribed 30 opiate pain pills for a medical procedure they received and then only take two or three then never touch the rest. They are just not predisposed to being in love with opiates or altering reality. About 30% of us will gobble that entire 30 opiate bottle and fall in love with that euphoric hug immediately. You are one of the lucky ones that doesn’t want or need that opiate crutch to roam this earth. You’re probably ok with cannabis, scotch, or benzos....etc. If the government would legalize voluntarily euthanasia for the physically healthy adults it would put a big dent in the opiate abuser population. That’ll never happen but I know I’m right.

I enjoy one every now and then. Really relaxes me and helps me sleep well. I would buy the OTC if they were available no doubt.

While I don’t illegally use them, I’m not gonna lie and say I didn’t go through a 2 week prescription in 4 days once.

A few years ago I was in a 4 wheeler accident and hurt my leg. Dr gave me a script and told to stay in bed for a week. It was one of the best vacations I ever had.

There are variations in how people react to taking them, but I bet just about everybody could get themselves in a bad spot if they took enough of them for a long enough time.

So not liking them is probably a fortunate safeguard to have.

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Are we genetically predisposed to enjoying opiates?

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I'm not sure I'd call it "genetically" predisposed as much as physiologically predisposed. To wit:

"The human body naturally produces its own opiate-like substances and uses them as neurotransmitters. These substances include endorphins, enkephalins, and dynorphin, often collectively known as endogenous opioids. Endogenous opioids modulate our reactions to painful stimuli. They also regulate vital functions such as hunger and thirst and are involved in mood control, immune response, and other processes.

"The reason that opiates such as heroin and morphine affect us so powerfully is that these exogenous substances bind to the same receptors as our endogenous opioids."

LINK

Neurotransmitters and their opiate-like properties also account for the "runners high" that marathoners experience. After a few hours of running with nerves firing over and over, the neurotransmitters build up in the runner's blood.

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Are we genetically predisposed to enjoying opiates?

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No

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painkillers were never one

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Same as me...I had knee surgery and was given Vicodin. It made me throw up. So I put the pills away. Later I found an empty bottle. One of my siblings stole the pills.

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I never understood the draw. I’ve had them a bunch of times and all they do is eliminate the pain. Never got a euphoric feeling whether pill, shot, or IV form. I have also never experienced any itching.

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I've never had a script and never even had any iv fluids period. I have had a handful of various pills over the years from unused scripts from the wife or other family members...when I was in a lot of pain. Never found any of them all that effective, but it was probably just some loratabs or something not that strong. Even after having been in some accidents or whatever, I've never been big on taking any pills. Having a decently high tolerance for pain isn't a bad thing, where as turning to a pill every time you have any pain at all, is.