Antistress Hormonal Responses of Analgesic Nitrous Oxide

Abstract

We briefly describe the hormonal responses associated with stress and provide evidence that endogenous and exogenous opioids have "antistress" hormonal profiles. We present data which indicate that analgesic nitrous oxide produces a typical opioid hormonal response, viz. increased prolactin and decreased cortisol levels. There was no significant change in ACTH levels despite the fall in cortisol. We present evidence which supports the hypothesis that the antistress hormonal effects of opioids and analgesic nitrous oxide are mediated by uncoupling the adrenal gland from hypothalamico-pituitary stimulation. It would appear that the opioid system acts antagonistically to the adrenocortical system in stress. We propose that any method stimulating the opioid system optimally may have the antistress effects.