Maia Szalavitz on January 29, 2008 9:01 AM
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Research published in Current Biology suggests that one reason we don't get hooked on on our endogenous "heroin" (endorphins and enkephalins) is that these natural ligands for the opioid receptor activate what can be seen as an "on/off" switch for the system, while morphine does not.
Consequently, the scientists engineered mice in which morphine does produce this effect-- and lo and behold, the mice were able to get pain relief from morphine, but developed less tolerance and fewer symptoms of withdrawal.
Continue reading 'Another crack at non-addictive opioids? Why we don't get hooked on our own endorphins' >
The pain-killer Vioxx made history today by bringing in one of the largest settlements ever of $4.85 billion, laying to rest 27,000 personal injury suits. Simultaneously, Hollywood writers went on strike. Which means no one can watch Jon Stewart's take on this momentous victory. I'm not totally sure of the connection, but the result is a diminishing supply of analgesics.
Continue reading 'No more Vioxx. No more Hollywood comedy writers. Oh, the pain.' >
