Breakthrough brings non-addictive opioid alternatives a step closer

Key discovery around brain ’s receptor proteins could help develop painkiller substitutes, raising hopes of an eventual end to global opioid addiction crisisThe prospect of a non-addictive alternatives to morphine and other opioids has moved a step closer as scientists say they have cracked a key challenge in developing safe and effective substitute painkillers.Overuse of highly addictive opioids has led to a health crisis across the world, especially in the US wheremore than 60,000 people died after overdoses in 2016 alone; president Donald Trump hasdeclared the epidemic a public health emergency.Continue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Drugs Opioids Science Medical research Neuroscience Biology Chemistry Source Type: news