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An Overview and a Hypothesis

Karl Verebey, PhD; Jan Volavka, MD, PhD; Doris Clouet, PhD

Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1978;35(7):877-888.

Abstract
• This article presents an overview of the biochemistry, pharmacology, and physiology of endogenous opioid peptides (endorphins). Clinical psychopharmacology of exogenous opiate agonists and antagonists is reviewed. The evidence presented in the review is compatible with a hypothesis that the level of functional endorphins may be related to psychological events, with a normal level needed for psychological homeostasis. One corollary of this hypothesis is that the level of opioids in the brains of the mentally ill may be disturbed. Therapeutic implications of this hypothesis are considered.

Author Affiliations
From the Testing and Research Laboratory, New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, Brooklyn, NY (Drs Verebey and Clouet), and the Department of Psychiatry, University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine at the Missouri Institute of Psychiatry, St Louis (Dr Volavka).

Footnotes
Accepted for publication April 10, 1978.

Reprint requests to Testing and Research Laboratory, New York State Office of Drug Abuse Services, 80 Hanson Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11217 (Dr Verebey).

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