Articles tagged with Opioids
A new study proposes that the brain's reward system is built to optimize energy, not pleasure. Researchers argue that dopamine and opioids function as physiological agents to manage the body's energetic budget, guiding behavior and learning.
The UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry has secured a $9 million NIH grant to develop a targeted, non-opioid treatment for chronic pain associated with muscle and joint dysfunction. Researchers will map the biology of facial pain, identify specialized neurons, and analyze gene expression changes to design effective treatments.
The study found that opioids provide only small, time-limited pain relief for certain pain conditions, such as stomach pain and dental surgery. Regular use of opioids comes with a risk of harm, including dependence and overdose.
A new study published in JAMA found that emergency department-initiated buprenorphine for opioid use disorder was well-tolerated and effective, with a low risk of withdrawal. The 7-day extended-release and sublingual buprenorphine groups showed similar treatment engagement rates on day 7.
A new study found that removing legal barriers to cannabis use may reduce daily opioid use and lower the risk of opioid-related overdoses among people who inject drugs. US states that legalized recreational cannabis saw a 9-to-11-percentage-point decline in daily opioid use among this population.
A new systematic review and meta-analysis by Penn Nursing researchers has identified four primary patient-related risk factors that predict chronic opioid use after surgery. These include Medicaid enrollment, preoperative benzodiazepine use, mood disorders, and anxiety. The study's findings provide a roadmap for clinicians to implement...
Research shows that methadone and buprenorphine prescriptions have risen significantly since 2010, reducing opioid-related deaths by half. However, only a quarter of individuals with opioid use disorder receive medication treatment, highlighting the need for expanded access to these life-saving medications.
Research suggests that blocking growth factor receptor signaling using cancer drugs may overcome two challenges: managing oral cancer pain and preventing opioid tolerance. This approach could control cancer while addressing pain through a non-opioid, biologically rational approach.
A 2025 survey found that U.S. adults view opioid overdose as a serious problem, with differing opinions on who is responsible for reducing overdose rates. The study suggests varying preferences for future actions to address overdose among conservatives, moderates, and liberals.
Financial settlements from opioid epidemic lawsuits are being redirected to fund potentially lifesaving interventions. These efforts aim to curb overdose deaths and improve public health outcomes.
A new study by the University of Texas at Arlington examines how updated CDC guidelines can help nurse practitioners reduce opioid misuse and protect patients. The guidelines emphasize individualized care, clinical judgment, and ongoing reassessment to ensure safe prescribing practices.
Researchers seek to improve burn trauma care by targeting a signaling kinase enzyme with a new-generation inhibitor. The goal is to reduce opioids needed for pain relief and scarring, improving patient recovery from trauma injury.
Researchers identified bradycardia as a symptom of xylazine-opioid overdose, particularly in the Northeast, where xylazine is more prevalent. This finding may aid emergency medicine physicians in detecting xylazine exposure and providing harm reduction counseling.
A new study of over 32,000 US Veterans found that longer treatment with medications for opioid use disorder is associated with a greater probability of short- and medium-term survival. The benefit continues to increase at least for four years of ongoing treatment.
This randomized clinical trial found yoga to significantly accelerate opioid withdrawal recovery and improve autonomic regulation, anxiety, sleep, and pain. The study supports the integration of yoga into withdrawal protocols as a neurobiologically informed intervention addressing core regulatory processes.
Researchers distinguish between medical and community-based approaches to safe supply, proposing a framework for better describing care models. The study aims to inform policy changes and improve access to care, decrease overdoses, and reduce stigma around people who use drugs.
Researchers found that abstinent smokers have altered brain activity linked to increased pain sensitivity and a need for more postoperative pain relief. The study suggests that nicotine withdrawal affects specific brain regions, leading to higher requirements for pain management in surgery.
A cohort study found that participation in New York's medical cannabis program was associated with lower rates of opioid prescription during a 18-month follow-up. The study controlled for unregulated cannabis use, suggesting that medical cannabis may be an effective alternative to opioids for managing chronic pain.
The company has secured $5 million in funding to support Phase 1 and pivotal trials for its therapies aimed at addressing opioid-induced respiratory depression and improving anesthesia recovery. This financing marks a transformative moment for OYE Therapeutics, positioning the company to enter clinical development with confidence.
Researchers have identified a previously unknown sodium-binding site on GlyT2, which supplies the energetic drive required for glycine transport. The study also uncovered a distinctive allosteric binding pocket for lipid-based inhibitors, providing a foundation for rational design of improved analgesics.
The prevalence of injecting methamphetamine only or both methamphetamine and opioids increased among people who inject drugs entering treatment in the US between 2012 and 2023. This trend is consistent with prior work showing increases in opioid and methamphetamine co-use before the COVID-19 pandemic.
This study confirms the role of negative reinforcement in chronic opioid use, contributing to addiction development. The findings suggest that this mechanism is present even after regular opioid use, highlighting potential for more effective prevention and treatment strategies.
A new study reveals that laws restricting pain clinics, or 'pill mills,' where opioids were often prescribed, reduced risky opioid use by 5 percent. Enacting such laws near the onset of the crisis in the 1990s could have reduced risky use by 30 percent over time.
A new study finds that ChatGPT can provide trustworthy information for pregnant women seeking medical advice on treating opioid use disorder, with over 97% of responses scoring as safe and accurate. The researchers used a persona to frame conversations with the AI, which showed consistency with accepted clinical practice.
A Norwegian study of over 21,000 adolescents and young adults found that those with persistent parental opioid prescriptions faced more than double the risk of persistent opioid use. The study suggests considering family-based approaches to managing pain conditions in adolescents and young adults.
A recent study found that cannabis may reduce opioid use among commercially insured patients with cancer diagnoses, indicating potential benefits for pain management. However, further research is needed to confirm the efficacy of cannabis as a treatment for cancer-related pain.
A study published in The Lancet Primary Care found that older adults with HIV are more likely to receive opioids and experience opioid use disorder compared to those without HIV. This disparity highlights the need for tailored strategies to safely prescribe opioids and expand access to treatment.
A recent study found that primary care providers in Ohio perceive and treat opioid use disorder (OUD) differently from other chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes. Despite recognizing OUD as a chronic brain disease, providers were less likely to offer treatment themselves.
Research reveals an increase in emergency calls for pediatric opioid exposure among middle-school aged children, with a national trend of rising calls from 255 in 2019 to 553 in 2023. Teenagers showed a decline after 2022. Demographics varied by age group, with females outnumbering males in the middle school age group.
A recent analysis reveals a modest decline in new and additional opioid prescriptions for patients with cancer from 2016 to 2020. For patients with metastatic cancer, prescribing remained stable for those reporting any pain but declined steeply for those reporting no pain.
A new study finds that prompt administration of opioid pain relief in emergency departments can reduce hospitalization rates for children with sickle cell disease. Children who received timely first-dose administration within 60 minutes and second-dose administration within 30 minutes showed reduced hospitalization odds.
A Swedish study of over 1.2 million children found no significant association between prenatal exposure to opioids and increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The researchers attributed the observed differences in ASD rates among exposed versus unexposed children to other pre...
A new study published in the American Cancer Society's journal reveals that nearly 1 in 10 patients undergoing surgery for early-stage cancer will initiate opioid prescriptions long-term. The research found that those with a prior history of chronic pain, comorbidities, and lower socioeconomic status were at higher risk.
A new study from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus introduces a more individualized approach to restarting methadone treatment for people with opioid use disorder. The findings suggest that tailoring methadone doses to each patient's unique circumstances can improve care without compromising safety.
Researchers at Kyoto University have discovered a novel analgesic called ADRIANA, which targets the α2B-adrenoceptor and exerts its effect without causing cardiovascular instability. The compound has shown highly promising results in non-clinical studies and early clinical trials.
Researchers detected traces of nitazene in discarded injecting equipment and syringes in Adelaide, Australia. Nitazenes led to 32 overdose deaths with 84% of patients unaware of the synthetic opioid's presence.
A study of 22 million urgent care visits found 12.4% of patients received antibiotics, 9.1% glucocorticoids, and 1.3% opioids for generally inappropriate diagnoses. The trends highlight the need for improved clinician knowledge, patient demand, and decision support.
A study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia found that regular opioid use is associated with a 20% increased risk of all-cause dementia and over 70% increased risk of dementia among those taking strong opioids. Regular opioid use was also linked to reduced brain volume, lower fluid intelligence, and higher risk of vascular dementia.
A JAMA Psychiatry study recommends increasing contingency management incentives to improve opioid addiction recovery outcomes. The research team suggests using evidence-based incentive amounts, such as $128 per week for vouchers or $55 per week for prizes over 12 weeks, to effectively reduce stimulant and/or opioid use.
A new study found that providing housing and supportive services without requiring drug treatment is a surprisingly cost-effective approach to helping unhoused people with opioid use disorder. The 'housing first' model output showed that people with stable housing are more likely to enter treatment for opioid use and have a higher like...
A new study found that Black emergency department patients are less likely to be treated with opioids, but when their preferences are not met, they are at a higher risk of misusing opioids three months later. Patients who were satisfied with their pain care had lower rates of opioid misuse.
A new study found that almost all Medicaid managed care plans (MCPs) cover at least one form of naloxone, with 94% covering generic injectables or 4-mg nasal sprays. However, certain restrictions and quantity limits may prevent people from accessing this life-saving drug.
Most opioid treatment programs still do not offer all three forms of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) as of 2023. Government-operated programs and those accepting Medicare are more likely to provide comprehensive MAT offerings.
Access to buprenorphine and naltrexone for opioid use disorder is affected by race and ethnicity, as well as insurance type. Targeted interventions, including culturally tailored care and expanded access points, are needed to address disparities and reduce inequities contributing to the overdose crisis.
A new study found that new psychoactive substances (NPS) are a significant concern in roadway crashes in California. NPS, also known as ‘designer drugs’, were detected in the blood of 17 patients, with most frequent being designer benzodiazepines and fentanyl analogs.
Researchers developed a pen-like tool that can quickly collect molecules from the skin's surface to screen for opioids with mass spectrometry. The 'MasSpec Pen' delivers a droplet of liquid, extracts molecules, and analyzes them using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.
A new online toolkit developed by the University of Ottawa and Health Canada aims to educate healthcare providers on managing opioid-related issues. The toolkit's co-creation model involves patient input, leading to a deeper understanding of chronic pain and opioid use, and a more compassionate approach to care.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine aim to reduce falls and adverse drug events among older adults by using personalized approach tailored to individual genetic profiles.
A Penn study shows providing surgeons with tailored data improves prescribing and maintains patient pain control without increasing opioid use. The approach reduced overprescribing by 40% and improved guideline adherence.
A recent study found that regional disparities in opioid overdose mortality continue, with the western US experiencing an increase in overdoses despite a national decline. The research highlights the need for region-specific strategies to address differing patterns of substance use and overdose risk.
Researchers found that urban areas and male middle-aged patients are more likely to receive high-dose opioid prescriptions. The study analyzed over 3 million Medicaid claims in Missouri from 2017 to 2021, identifying risk factors for opioid use disorder.
A recent study found that 11% of Americans used illicit opioids within the past 12 months, with fentanyl use rates significantly higher than previously reported. The survey also revealed intentional and unintentional use patterns, emphasizing the need for more accurate tracking methods to address the nation's opioid crisis.
A national survey found that 11.0% of adults reported using illicit opioids within the past year, with even higher rates of fentanyl use, indicating a pressing need for improved data collection efforts to inform policy and intervention strategies.
A new study published in JAMA finds that Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) can help individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) regain control over their emotions and cravings. The therapy has been shown to decrease opioid cravings by 50% and improve mood, making it a promising tool in the fight against OUD.
A cohort study of pregnant individuals with opioid use disorder found that buprenorphine treatment was associated with improved maternal and infant outcomes. The study highlights the need to improve access to treatment nationwide for these patients.
A new study from Thomas Jefferson University investigates the use of ondansetron to ease withdrawal symptoms in newborns with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). Researchers found that a specific concentration of ondansetron can significantly reduce withdrawal symptoms.
Researchers at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center have received a $1.94 million grant to study inhibitors that target peripheral neuropathic pain. The project aims to develop novel non-opioid and non-addicting therapies capable of effectively managing chronic pain.
A new study led by the University of South Florida reveals a correlation between opioid misuse and domestic violence, with opioid control programs contributing to a 10% reduction in simple assaults. The effect was strongest in states with higher opioid prescription rates.
A new study found that listening to favorite music activates the brain's opioid receptors, explaining why it evokes strong feelings of pleasure. The release of opioids is also linked to individual differences in music enjoyment and may help develop new music-based interventions for pain management and mental health disorders.
A study found that New York's opioid restriction law led to decreased opioid quantities after total joint replacement surgeries. The findings suggest refining laws may further reduce opioid prescribing nationwide.