Opioids News and Research

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An opioid is a chemical that works by binding to opioid receptors, which are found principally in the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract. The receptors in these two organ systems mediate both the beneficial effects and the side effects of opioids.

Most sickle cell patients face long delays for recommended pain relief, study shows

A new study finds that only one in three patients visiting emergency departments (EDs) for severe pain associated with sickle cell disease received appropriate opioid-based pain-relieving medications within the first hour as recommended by the American Society of Hematology (ASH) and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

6 Dec 2025

Sweat testing could transform drug monitoring and diabetes care

Innovative sweat sampling techniques could revolutionize diagnostics, offering insights into glucose levels and environmental toxins with minimal discomfort.

4 Dec 2025

Common nerve pain drugs may set off prescribing cascades in older patients

Clinicians may fail to recognize common side effects of drugs like gabapentin - which are frequently prescribed for nerve pain - leading them to prescribe unnecessary medications that cause yet more side effects.

2 Dec 2025

Most Medicaid patients do not receive life-saving drugs for opioid use disorder

A US study of more than a million Medicaid enrollees, newly diagnosed with opioid use disorder (OUD), finds most – nearly seven in 10 – are not receiving access to potentially life-saving drugs within six months.

24 Nov 2025

Take-home methadone provides a lifesaving bridge to recovery after hospitalization

For patients recovering from opioid use disorder, particularly from drugs like fentanyl or heroin, the days immediately following a hospital stay are among the most dangerous.

22 Nov 2025

Harnessing nanotechnology to deliver CBD to the brain for neuropathic pain relief

Reaching for CBD-infused lotion or oil may seem like a low-risk way to find pain relief, but little is actually known about the impact that CBD has on the nervous system.

7 Nov 2025

Intensive mind-body retreat rapidly alters brain function and blood biology

Researchers at the University of California San Diego have found that an intensive retreat combining multiple mind-body techniques, including meditation and healing practices, produced rapid and wide-ranging changes in brain function and blood biology.

6 Nov 2025

Over-the-counter pain relievers outperform opioids after wisdom tooth extraction

Over-the-counter pain medications work as well or better than opioids after wisdom tooth extraction for both men and women, according to a Rutgers Health-led follow-up to a landmark paper on comparative pain relief.

6 Nov 2025

Opioid receptors caught in motion offering clues for safer painkillers

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 exactly what happens next.

5 Nov 2025

Living near cannabis stores linked to more frequent use and less heavy drinking

A statewide study of more than 60,000 adult Oregonians shows that living near cannabis retail stores is associated with a greater tendency toward frequent cannabis use but a lower likelihood of heavy alcohol consumption.

4 Nov 2025

States make progress in removing barriers to opioid use disorder medications

A new study from Tulane University found that, over the past decade, more states have moved to make it easier for people with opioid use disorder to get potentially life-saving medication.

3 Nov 2025

Sock hops and concerts: How some places spent opioid settlement cash

Officials in Irvington, New Jersey, had an idea. To raise awareness about the dangers of opioid use and addiction, the township could host concerts with popular R&B artists like Q Parker and Musiq Soulchild.

3 Nov 2025

Reducing prescriptions of sleep drugs in older adults could provide health and economic benefits

Millions of older Americans suffering from insomnia regularly use prescription sleep medications, despite the risk of serious side effects-such as falls, broken bones

28 Oct 2025

New clinical practice guideline provides updated recommendations for treatment of central sleep apnea

A new clinical practice guideline developed by a task force of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine provides updated recommendations for the treatment of central sleep apnea.

27 Oct 2025

Study highlights need to establish clinical practice guidelines for surgical patients receiving MOUDs

In an effort to stem the death toll from opioid overdose, United States public health officials have promoted the prescription and use of medications like buprenorphine that blunt the effects of illicit opioids such as fentanyl.

27 Oct 2025

Research shows a decline in opioid dispensing across Canadian provinces

Efforts to promote safer opioid prescribing in Canada appear to be having an effect, as new research in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) https://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.250670 shows a decrease in opioid dispensing between 2018 and 2022.

27 Oct 2025

Updated CPR guidelines provide expanded recommendations for managing choking and opioid overdose

The "2025 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC)," published today in the Association's flagship journal, Circulation, marks the first full revision of lifesaving resuscitation guidance since 2020.

22 Oct 2025

Global drug addiction mortality rates double despite fewer new cases

The global drug use disorder deaths have more than doubled since 1990, even as new addiction cases declined, highlighting a widening gap in harm reduction and treatment access, especially in wealthy nations.

15 Oct 2025

Fentanyl-stimulant overdose deaths surge among older adults

Overdose deaths in adults age 65 and older from fentanyl mixed with stimulants, such as cocaine and methamphetamines, have surged 9,000% in the past eight years, matching rates found among younger adults, according to research presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2025 annual meeting.

12 Oct 2025

Tramadol found to offer limited relief for chronic pain while raising risk of serious side effects

The strong opioid painkiller, tramadol, is not that effective at easing chronic pain for which it's widely prescribed, finds a pooled data analysis of the available research, published online in BMJ Evidence Based Medicine.

7 Oct 2025

Opioids News and Research

Further Reading

Most sickle cell patients face long delays for recommended pain relief, study shows

Sweat testing could transform drug monitoring and diabetes care

Common nerve pain drugs may set off prescribing cascades in older patients

Most Medicaid patients do not receive life-saving drugs for opioid use disorder

Take-home methadone provides a lifesaving bridge to recovery after hospitalization

Harnessing nanotechnology to deliver CBD to the brain for neuropathic pain relief

Intensive mind-body retreat rapidly alters brain function and blood biology

Over-the-counter pain relievers outperform opioids after wisdom tooth extraction

Opioid receptors caught in motion offering clues for safer painkillers

Living near cannabis stores linked to more frequent use and less heavy drinking

States make progress in removing barriers to opioid use disorder medications

Sock hops and concerts: How some places spent opioid settlement cash

Reducing prescriptions of sleep drugs in older adults could provide health and economic benefits

New clinical practice guideline provides updated recommendations for treatment of central sleep apnea

Study highlights need to establish clinical practice guidelines for surgical patients receiving MOUDs

Research shows a decline in opioid dispensing across Canadian provinces

Updated CPR guidelines provide expanded recommendations for managing choking and opioid overdose

Global drug addiction mortality rates double despite fewer new cases

Fentanyl-stimulant overdose deaths surge among older adults

Tramadol found to offer limited relief for chronic pain while raising risk of serious side effects

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