Opioid receptors are proteins in the nervous system that interact with opioids. Opioid receptors are part of the endogenous opioid system. This is the body’s internal system for regulating pain, ...

Opioid receptors are fantastic targets for treating pain—but unfortunately, the drugs that target them can be addictive. Because the molecules suppress breathing and heart function, those drugs can ...

Drugs that target opioid receptors sometimes have severe side effects. Thousands of people around the world die every day from overdoses involving opioids such as fentanyl. Researchers have taken a ...

Muse Treatment Alcohol & Drug Rehab Los Angeles has published a new educational resource that explains how opioid receptors function in the brain and why they play a central role in pain relief, ...

Opioid use during pregnancy—whether of highly addictive drugs like fentanyl or controlled opioids like buprenorphine—doubles the risk of preterm birth. A new Yale study reveals that inflammation may ...

Opioid overdoses continue to take a devastating toll across the United States. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease ...

Unbiased whole-brain mapping of c-Fos identifies active brain regions following a rewarding dose of oxycodone. c-Fos-positive cells are shown in red; white matter tracks are shown in green. Opioids, ...

Medically reviewed by Brigid Dwyer, MD Key Takeaways Endorphins are chemicals that help reduce pain and improve mood.They are ...

Opioids slot into opioid receptors and activate them. This sends signals to your brain to relieve pain and promote pleasure. Both endogenous opioids, which your body naturally produces, and exogenous ...