Midazolam impairs the retrieval of conditioned taste aversion via opioidergic transmission in mice.

•Retrieval mechanisms of conditioned taste aversion (CTA) in mice were explored.•Effects of systemic midazolam (MDZ) on CTA retrieval were tested.•Systemic MDZ increased conditioned stimulus (CS) intake in conditioned mice.•Systemic MDZ disrupted aversive orofacial reactions to the CS in conditioned mice.•An opioid antagonist, naloxone, precluded midazolam’s effect on CTA retrieval.