In relation to opioid receptors, what does activation of the kappa receptor typically cause?

Activation of the kappa receptor typically causes pain relief and sedation. The kappa (κ) opioid receptors are one of the three main types of opioid receptors (alongside mu and delta). When these receptors are activated by endogenous opioids or opioid medications, they have analgesic properties, which means they can effectively reduce the perception of pain.

In addition to pain relief, the activation of kappa receptors also tends to produce sedation, making it useful in clinical settings where both pain management and relaxation are desired. This sedation effect is part of the reason kappa agonists can be considered for pain relief treatments, especially when minimizing the risk of dependence, which is more pronounced with mu receptor agonists.

The other options address effects associated with different receptor interactions or are consequences of opioids that may not be directly linked to kappa receptor activation. For example, the mu receptors are primarily associated with euphoria and a higher risk of respiratory depression, which is not a characteristic of kappa receptor activation. Ultimately, kappa receptors can offer a beneficial approach to managing pain with a different profile of effects compared to mu receptor activation.