Unlike mu, the kappa receptor enables the drugs’ painkilling qualities without lethal side effects, according to a report published in Wired. A growing body of research suggests this receptor could be ...

Distinct brain circuits drive two key components of addiction to the synthetic opioid drug fentanyl, according to a new finding published in Nature (2024, DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07440-x). The ...

Scientists have known for decades that opioids relieve pain by binding to molecular switches in the brain called mu-opioid (pronounced "mew-opioid") receptors. What they didn't know - until now - was ...

Scientists are racing to redesign how powerful painkillers work, aiming to keep the relief that opioids provide while stripping away the worst dangers of addiction and overdose. Instead of tweaking ...

University of Florida scientists have helped identify a novel drug compound that selectively activates pain-altering receptors in the body, offering a potentially safer alternative to conventional ...