Opioids News and Research

RSS

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.

New evidence: Fibromyalgia could worsen opioid use disorder

There is new evidence that fibromyalgia, and the chronic pain associated with it, could worsen opioid use disorder.

28 Mar 2023

CBD-based compounds boost the effects of naloxone

There's been a recent push in the U.S. to make naloxone -; a fast-acting opioid antidote -; available without a prescription.

28 Mar 2023

Truly random drug testing: ADHD patients face uneven urine screens and, sometimes, stigma

Some adults who take prescription medication for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder are required to have their urine tested for drugs several times a year. Others never are tested.

28 Mar 2023

Study finds lack of high certainty evidence on the efficacy and safety of analgesics for low back pain

Despite nearly 60 years of research, there is still a lack of high certainty evidence on the effectiveness and safety of commonly used painkillers (analgesics) for short bouts of low back pain, finds an analysis of the evidence published by The BMJ.

23 Mar 2023

Common genetic signature may increase a person's risk of developing substance use disorders

A new study suggests that a common genetic signature may increase a person's risk of developing substance use disorders, regardless of whether the addiction is to alcohol, tobacco, cannabis or opioids.

22 Mar 2023

Animal studies show potential of new drug to curb painful hyperinflammation from osteoarthritis

A team of researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of USC have found a drug with the potential for curbing painful hyperinflammation from osteoarthritis, according to results of an animal study.

22 Mar 2023

Study finds shared genetic risk variants across different substance use disorders

By combing through genomic data of over 1 million people, scientists have identified genes commonly inherited across addiction disorders, regardless of the substance being used.

22 Mar 2023

End of covid emergency will usher in changes across the US health system

The Biden administration's decision to end the covid-19 public health emergency in May will institute sweeping changes across the health care system that go far beyond many people having to pay more for covid tests.

22 Mar 2023

How the science of happiness is helping student mental health

We spoke to Professor Bruce Hood, Professor of Developmental Psychology and Society at the University of Bristol, about his course The Science of Happiness and beyond.

17 Mar 2023

Maternal opioid treatment after delivery not associated with adverse infant outcomes

Infants born to mothers prescribed opioids after delivery, mostly after a cesarean, are at no greater risk of harm shortly after birth than infants of mothers not prescribed opioids, finds a large study from Canada published by The BMJ today.

16 Mar 2023

Smoking cessation drug may help people stop using cocaine while in treatment for OUD

For some people receiving methadone for treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD), the co-use of opioids and stimulants such as cocaine is an issue.

15 Mar 2023

New CDC opioid guidelines: Too little, too late for chronic pain patients?

Jessica Layman estimates she has called more than 150 doctors in the past few years in her search for someone to prescribe opioids for her chronic pain.

15 Mar 2023

Black patients dress up and modify speech to reduce bias, California survey shows

A young mother in California's Antelope Valley bathes her children and dresses them in neat clothes, making sure they look their very best — at medical appointments. "I brush their teeth before they see the dentist. Just little things like that to protect myself from being treated unfairly," she told researchers.

10 Mar 2023

Racism contributes to disproportionate newborn drug testing

If a newborn tests positive for certain drugs after birth, mandated reporters in many states – including health care professionals and social workers – are required to report it to Child Protective Services.

8 Mar 2023

Despite pharma claims, illicit drug shipments to us aren’t full of opioids. It’s generic Viagra.

For years, the FDA has defended its efforts to intercept prescription drugs coming from abroad by mail as necessary to keep out dangerous opioids, including fentanyl.

6 Mar 2023

Gene mutation capable of regulating pain discovered

Pain afflicts at least 1.5 billion people worldwide, and despite the availability of various painkilling drugs, not all forms of pain are treatable.

3 Mar 2023

California’s massive Medicaid program works for some, but fails many others

Newborns. Former inmates. College students. Expectant moms. People with disabilities. Foster kids. Homeless people. Single dads.

2 Mar 2023

Cedars-Sinai receives $2 million CIRM grant to combat lower back pain

Investigators at Cedars-Sinai have received a $2 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine to develop a new cell therapy that helps improve quality of life for patients with degenerated discs and chronic lower back pain.

28 Feb 2023

Novel multimodal analgesia protocol following total knee arthroplasty provides pain relief without opioids

A study led by Vinod Dasa, MD, Professor of Orthopaedics at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, reports that a novel surgical pain management strategy following total knee arthroplasty (TKA), or total knee replacement, provided pain relief without opioids.

27 Feb 2023

Determining the role of the epigenetic enzyme, HDAC5, in an animal model

Substance use disorder (SUD) is an extremely difficult disorder to overcome, and many individuals with SUD return to regular use after repeated attempts to quit.

27 Feb 2023

Opioids News and Research

Further Reading

New evidence: Fibromyalgia could worsen opioid use disorder

CBD-based compounds boost the effects of naloxone

Truly random drug testing: ADHD patients face uneven urine screens and, sometimes, stigma

Study finds lack of high certainty evidence on the efficacy and safety of analgesics for low back pain

Common genetic signature may increase a person's risk of developing substance use disorders

Animal studies show potential of new drug to curb painful hyperinflammation from osteoarthritis

Study finds shared genetic risk variants across different substance use disorders

End of covid emergency will usher in changes across the US health system

How the science of happiness is helping student mental health

Maternal opioid treatment after delivery not associated with adverse infant outcomes

Smoking cessation drug may help people stop using cocaine while in treatment for OUD

New CDC opioid guidelines: Too little, too late for chronic pain patients?

Black patients dress up and modify speech to reduce bias, California survey shows

Racism contributes to disproportionate newborn drug testing

Despite pharma claims, illicit drug shipments to us aren’t full of opioids. It’s generic Viagra.

Gene mutation capable of regulating pain discovered

California’s massive Medicaid program works for some, but fails many others

Cedars-Sinai receives $2 million CIRM grant to combat lower back pain

Novel multimodal analgesia protocol following total knee arthroplasty provides pain relief without opioids

Determining the role of the epigenetic enzyme, HDAC5, in an animal model

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

Latest News