Researchers find genetic link between physical pain and social rejection

[bananas]

Researchers find genetic link between physical pain and social rejection
By Stuart Wolpert 8/17/2009 9:15:00 AM

UCLA psychologists have determined for the first time that a gene linked with physical pain sensitivity is associated with social pain sensitivity as well.

Their study indicates that variation in the mu-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1), often associated with physical pain, is related to how much social pain a person feels in response to social rejection. People with a rare form of the gene are more sensitive to rejection and experience more brain evidence of distress in response to rejection than those with the more common form.

The research was published Aug. 14 in the early online edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and will appear in the print version in the coming weeks.

The findings give weight to the common notion that rejection "hurts" by showing that a gene regulating the body's most potent painkillers — mu-opioids — is involved in socially painful experiences too, said study co-author Naomi Eisenberger, UCLA assistant professor of psychology and director of UCLA's Social and Affective Neuroscience Laboratory.

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[Ian David]

1. Is this why Rush Limbaugh is a drug addict? n/t

[Deja Q]

2. Nope. He has millions of radio listeners and a wife that really likes small penises.

:shrug: