UCLA tests if naltrexone cancels the Fear-Busting power of a hug

Researchers at UCLA are studying whether naltrexone, a drug that blocks opioid receptors, can stop reminders of a social support figure from helping people overcome fear. Sixty healthy adults aged 18-35 will receive either naltrexone or a placebo, then undergo a fear extinction procedure where threatening cues are paired with images of a loved one. The goal is to see if the drug disrupts the brain's natural safety-signal mechanism, shedding light on how social bonds protect against fear.