Genes may determine social rejection pain

[The Straight Story]

Genes may determine social rejection pain

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- A person's genes may determine the intensity of people's responses to social rejection, U.S. researchers suggest.

A study reviewed by Faculty of 1000 Biology member Markus Heilig shows small differences in the gene for the opioid receptor -- opium-like painkillers that relieve not only physical pain, but also some forms of emotional stress -- can determine the intensity of people's responses to social rejection.

Researchers at the University of California-Los Angeles questioned people about their responses to social rejection -- considered a form of emotional stress. They also performed brain scans on people playing a video game in which they were excluded from tossing a ball with computer-generated players.

The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows people with a certain mutation in their opioid receptor reacted more strongly to social rejection than those with a normal opioid receptor.

http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2009/12/04/Genes-may-determine-social-rejection-pain/UPI-57961259950190/

[FarCenter]

1. Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.

[RaleighNCDUer]

2. Interesting - so the 'hole in the guts' feeling that was virtually real pain

after my divorce had a basis in reality.

And here I just thought I was flaking out.

[mopinko]

3. our behavior and thinking is so much more genetically determined than we

ever thought. tabula rasa was one of the stupidest ideas mankind has ever had. ever.

[rucky]

4. The great unrec debate all the sudden makes sense now.

[flying rabbit]

5. +1

[Ms. Toad]

6. I have to admit - that was my first reaction as well. n/t