Chronic opioid exposure reduces production of which endogenous substance?

Chronic opioid exposure reduces production of which endogenous substance?

• A. Endorphins
• B. Anandamides
• C. Dopamine
• D. Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid

Answer: (A)

Chronic opioid exposure downregulates the body's own opioid system, so natural endorphin production decreases as the brain adapts to constant receptor stimulation. Endorphins are endogenous opioids, and when external opioids keep the receptors activated, the brain compensates by reducing its own synthesis of these natural opioids. Anandamides are endocannabinoids, not directly tied to the opioid system, so their production isn’t the primary adaptation here. Dopamine and GABA are involved in reward and inhibitory signaling, but the specific change described in chronic opioid use is the suppression of endogenous opioid production, i.e., endorphins.

Chronic opioid exposure downregulates the body's own opioid system, so natural endorphin production decreases as the brain adapts to constant receptor stimulation. Endorphins are endogenous opioids, and when external opioids keep the receptors activated, the brain compensates by reducing its own synthesis of these natural opioids. Anandamides are endocannabinoids, not directly tied to the opioid system, so their production isn’t the primary adaptation here. Dopamine and GABA are involved in reward and inhibitory signaling, but the specific change described in chronic opioid use is the suppression of endogenous opioid production, i.e., endorphins.