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 ...

Two different versions of the mu-opioid receptor within a cellular membrane illustrate how the receptor changes its conformation to send a signal into the cell. Scientists captured six high-resolution ...

Opioid antagonists are medications people can take to treat opioid use disorder. They help by reducing withdrawal symptoms, addressing cravings, and managing overdoses. Doctors prescribe opioid ...

Scientists trained mice to experience placebo pain relief, then traced the effect to a brain circuit that releases the body’s ...

Researchers have identified a compound that, in mice, makes naloxone much more effective at counteracting a drug overdose. The ongoing opioid epidemic in the U.S. kills tens of thousands of people ...

A novel compound strongly improves the efficacy of naloxone, the substance used to reverse overdoses of morphine, fentanyl and other opioid drugs. When administered to mice along with naloxone, it is ...

Opioids are not stimulants. They are a class of medications primarily used for pain relief. Opioids and stimulants are two different classes of medications that address different needs. Doctors ...