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Harnessing endogenous opioids for pain relief: Fantasy vs reality
Alan R Gintzler1, Nai-Jiang Liu1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York.
Journal of Opioid Management
|February 25, 2020
Summary
Harnessing the body's natural pain relief systems offers a new way to manage pain. This approach could provide effective pain relief without the risks associated with synthetic opioids.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Pain Management
Background:
- Endogenous opioids play a crucial role in the body's natural pain-relief mechanisms.
- Previous research indicates psychological strategies can activate these systems for pain management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence on using the body's own opioid system for pain relief.
- To explore the feasibility of endogenous opioid activation for clinical pain management.
- To offer an alternative to synthetic opioids, addressing overdose risks.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive review of existing scientific literature.
- Analysis of studies demonstrating endogenous opioid involvement in placebo analgesia and clinical pain.
- Identification of pharmacological targets for activating endogenous spinal opioid analgesia.
Main Results:
- Endogenous opioids mediate placebo-induced pain relief (antinociception).
- These natural peptides modulate clinical pain effectively.
- Pharmacological targets were identified to activate endogenous spinal opioid analgesia without exogenous opioids.
Conclusions:
- Targeting endogenous opioid antinociception offers a novel pain management strategy.
- This approach can be tailored to individual physiological states for optimal efficacy.
- It presents a safer alternative to synthetic opioids, mitigating overdose risks.
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