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TL;DR: A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis in Pain Medicine found that Medicaid enrollment and preoperative benzodiazepine use had the largest pooled associations with new persistent opioid use after surgery among opioid-naive US adults. Key Findings 27…
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How Gene Therapy Mimicked Morphine for Chronic Pain TL;DR: A Nature study identified opioid-sensitive neurons in the anterior cingulate cortex and used a synthetic mu-opioid receptor promoter to silence them, producing morphine-like relief of chronic pain unpl…
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This study found that individuals with the AG/GG genotype of the A118G SNP in the OPRM1 gene experienced more pleasant and fewer unpleasant effects from hydromorphone compared to those with the AA genotype, suggesting genotype-based differences in opioid sensi…
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High-intensity exercise (HIIE) leads to significant changes in brain activity, specifically in regions linked to dopaminergic and μ-opioidergic neurotransmission, which are associated with a mood boost. Highlights: Positive Mood Effects: Both low- and high-int…
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Kratom is a plant gaining popularity as an alternative painkiller and recreational drug. But how much do we really know about its risks and benefits? About Kratom: Kratom is a tropical tree in the coffee family, native to Southeast Asia. People ingest its leav…
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A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine has shed light on the growing use of kratom, an herbal drug with psychoactive effects, in the United States. The key findings show that kratom use is rising, with 0.7% of Americans aged 12 an…
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Xylazine is an animal tranquilizer increasingly being found in illicit drugs like heroin and fentanyl. This veterinary medication is not approved for human use but is linked to growing overdose deaths across the United States. Key Facts: Xylazine is a veterina…
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Recreational drug use is constantly evolving, with new substances emerging and old drugs being used in new ways. This can pose risks, especially for the developing adolescent brain. Key Facts: Use of designer opioids like fentanyl is skyrocketing, causing a ri…
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