Brandy Schillace’s review of “Candace Pert” by Pamela Rykman (Bookshelf, Nov. 15) contains a questionable conclusion: the discovery of the mu opioid receptor in 1972 “helped launch the opioid crisis” ...

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 ...

This confocal microscope image shows midbrain neurons (red) co-expressing the mu-opioid receptor (Oprm1, white) and cannabinoid receptor 1 (Cnr1, green). The interaction of these two reward pathways ...

Unlike mu, the kappa receptor enables the drugs’ painkilling qualities without lethal side effects, according to a report published in Wired. A growing body of research suggests this receptor could be ...

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, ...

Researchers at Scripps Research have redesigned fentanyl at the molecular level, challenging decades-old assumptions about opioid chemistry.

Opioids are some of the oldest known treatments for pain relief, but they can cause serious side effects. A team of researchers including Susruta Majumdar, a medicinal chemist and pharmacologist at ...