Cannabis found not to be a substitute for opioids
Study finds no evidence to suggest cannabis helps patients with opioid use disorder to stop using opioids.... Read More...
opioids
One in three pain patients suffer side effects after ketamine infusion therapy
35% of patients who used ketamine to manage pain reported significant side effects ranging from hallucination, out-of-body experiences, visual disturbances, and urinary dysfunction. 20% of the side effects were linked directly to ketamine, and 15% associated with ketamine in combination with other drugs.... Read More...
Opiates reduce the brain’s ability to form and maintain synapses
Opiate exposure causes synaptic rewiring in the nucleus accumbens in addition to decreasing dendritic spines. The findings shed light into the neurobiology of opiate relapse.... Read More...
The ‘inflammation’ of opioid use: Research correlates inflammation in the brain and gut to negative emotional state during opioid withdrawal
Inflammation caused by opioid use to both the brain and gut may exacerbate symptoms of negative emotions associated with withdrawal. Targeting the inflammation could help alleviate the negative experiences of opioid withdrawal and prevent dependence.... Read More...
New data indicates rise in opioid use for migraine treatment
Almost 1 in 5 people now use opioids to treat migraines. Researchers say a growing number of patients are using opioids to replace medications approved and specially designed to treat migraines, despite knowing the risks of opioid use.... Read More...
Ketamine isn’t an opioid and treats depression in a unique way
A new study clarifies the mechanism behind how ketamine works as an antidepressant. Researchers say there is evidence to suggest ketamine binds to NMDA receptors, instead of opioid receptors. Reducing the belief that ketamine is an opioid may make patients with depression more open to using the treatment.... Read More...
Common antidepressants interact with opioid med to lessen pain relief
SSRI antidepressants, such as Prozac and Paxil, interact with opioid medications to make them less effective at providing relief from chronic pain. Tramadol relies on activation of the CYP2D6 enzyme to control pain, but SSRIs inhibit this enzyme. Researchers suggest prescribing different classes of antidepressants which do not suppress the enzyme may benefit those in need of opioid medications. Alternatively, non-opioid pain killers should be considered for those who can not switch from SSRIs.... Read More...
Alzheimer’s therapy may help overcome opioid addiction
Galantamine, a medication used to treat Alzheimer's disease, shows promise in helping break opioid addiction.... Read More...
Opioids are not sleep aids, and can actually worsen sleep research finds
Opioids are often prescribed to help those with chronic pain manage sleep problems associated with their condition. New research reports opioids effect on sleep quality is limited and of poor quality. Additionally, opioids can increase the risk of sleep apnea.... Read More...
Does Opioid Use in Pets Create Higher Risk for Abuse in Humans?
Researchers report a 41% increase in the prescription of opioids for small animals over the past 10 years. The study reports the increase could potentially provide human access to the drugs, fueling the opioid epidemic.... Read More...
Suicide Nation: What’s Behind the Need to Numb and Seek Final Escape?
Researchers look at why suicide rates may be on the rise in the US, finding suicidality may be more than simply a mental health issue.... Read More...
Opioid Use Prevalent Among Electronic Dance Music Partygoers
Researchers report 10 percent of people who have attended EDM events have misused opioids in the past 12 months. The number, researchers say, exceeds national averages. Oxycontin was reported to be the most widely misused drug within the scene.... Read More...