Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Scientists Looking for Alternative Options to Opioids
In modern medicine, opioids have become the staple drug solution to pain relief. Unfortunately, opioids as a solution also brings in risk of addiction. John Hamilton, author of the NPR article, "Brain Scientists Look Beyond Opioids To Conquer Pain," reports that at least 25 million people each year suffer from chronic illness. With those numbers, it's easy to see why America is currently undergoing an opioid crises, however, according to Hamilton, alternative drugs that decrease pain without activating the brain's pleasure and reward "circuits" like opioids have been proven less effective, coming with dangerous side effects as well. On a brighter note, Edward Bilsky, a pharmacologist and chief academic officer at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, finds snail venom to be a promising chemical.
Hamilton then suggests a new approach to pain management, which includes targeting "brain circuits," which I presume Hamilton means neurons, that amplify perception of pain. To illustrate what he means, the author claims that anticipating pain, such as when you are at the dentist, actually heightens a person's perceived pain. Feelings such as depression and isolation also increase pain. Hamilton implicates that "brain scientist's" are looking to tweak these "circuits" in such a way that it lowers a perceived pain, as doctors are already beginning to prescribe antidepressants for those with chronic pain.
Unfortunately, John Hamilton of NPR, did not cite the studies in which he claims that "brain scientists" are looking to tweak "brain circuits," but it does call into question how America should deal with this opioid crisis, as many cases of opioid abuse begins with a prescription. By exploring how pain is registered in the brain, research might uncover alternative methods to pain relief, rather than relying on what we have to offer at the moment.
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/11/13/563281808/brain-scientists-look-beyond-opioids-to-conquer-pain
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In my opinion, the concept of using snake venom is an extremely intriguing alternative solution to opioids. I am curious as to what species of snake's venom was tested and what is in the venom specifically that creates effects similar to opioids. Additionally, I agree that the United States should begin to focus research more on non-prescription methods of dealing with pain in the brain, as addictive drugs such as opioids are dangerous and are likely not the best solution possible.
ReplyDeleteI also agree there can be overprescription of painkillers, especially following major surgery or with patients with chronic pain. It is important for physicians and pharmacists alike to monitor this closely, as well as look into alternative treatments for pain. If something like snail venom helps someone's pain I say go for it as long as there are limited to no side effects and it is not illegal. Many of these alternative forms of pain management have no or minor side effects and are actually better for the body.
ReplyDeleteAs a chronic pain patient, I have found alternative medicines that help to ease my pain in addition to anti-inflammatory medications such as yoga, fish oil capsules, turmeric curcumin capsules, and acupuncture. Many physicians in this day and age are turning toward a coupling of modern and ancient medicine to heal or ease pain.
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ReplyDeleteI was immediately interested by the topic of the publication you chose to share. Our country is currently suffering from an opioid and prescription drug crisis due to the significant role big pharmaceutical companies play in our healthcare system. I remember watching a segment on John Oliver’s show, Last Week Tonight, that explained how opioids are widely marketed to and prescribed by U.S. doctors, and how this has lead to widespread prescription drug addiction among patients. These prescription drug addictions have also lead to a significant increase in more dangerous heroin and fentanyl overdose cases in the past decade. You also mentioned Professor Edward Bilsky's research on using alternative non-opioid drugs such as snail venom to lower pain perception in patients. After reading the article you linked and following www.npr.org’s link to the article about snail venom, we can see that there are many hurdles in perfecting this pain relieving method. This is because the compound cannot cross the blood-brain barrier and currently requires an invasive injection into the spinal chord in order to work. And as you mentioned, though some alternatives to opioids currently exist, we are still in the beginning stages of fully developing these methods.
ReplyDeleteI'm very interested in using things other than opioids for pain management as I feel that in many cases they do more harm than good. Snail venom seems both very interesting and promising, although I imagine it'll be a while before that becomes commercially available. I know people that have used things like Tylenol for pain management after procedures instead of opioids due to concerns over the addictive nature.
ReplyDeleteI like that tricyclic antidepressants are now being prescribed for chronic pain as well, and I know they're looking into SSRI's and SNRI's as well. As someone who has been prescribed antidepressants for both migraines and depression, I like that they have multiple potential uses that can greatly improve one's daily life.