Can Science Make Less Addictive Opioids?

Will we ever have painkillers as good as opioids, but without the risk of addiction and overdose?

#opioids #heroin #opioidcrisis

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Credits:
Executive Producers:
George Zaidan
Hilary Hudson

Producers:
Andrew Sobey
Elaine Seward

Writer/Host:
Sam Jones, PhD

Scientific consultants:
Michelle Boucher, PhD
Kelly Dunn, PhD
Leila Duman, PhD
Kim Janda, PhD

Sources:
Frederich Serturner

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Use of Oxycodone in Pain Management

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Death Tolls

Overdose Increases

Etanercept

[WaismannMethod]

Overdose rates are at an all time high due to illicit fentanyl. People can't get prescription painkillers easily so they purchase on the streets, but what they get is a gamble. We need to treat the reason people are using drugs whether it's chronic pain, emotional distress or untreated mental health. In some cases it's a combination of all three and people use opioids to numb their physical and emotional pain.

[Ganjabeard]

My heart breaks for all those lost in the opioid epidemic:(
Another great video, thanks Reactions!

[junesilvermanb]

Side effects of opioids may include: itchiness, sedation, nausea, respiratory depression, constipation, and euphoria.

Long-term use can cause tolerance, meaning that increased doses are required to achieve the same effect, and physical dependence, meaning that abruptly discontinuing the drug leads to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

The euphoria attracts recreational use, and frequent, escalating recreational use of opioids typically results in addiction.

An overdose, or concurrent use with other depressant drugs, like benzodiazepines or alcohol, commonly results in death from respiratory depression.

[BRUXXUS]

I took opioids (as directed) for years for a chronic condition. Even as directed I was definitely addicted. Finally, I tried kratom. Literally allowed me to quit cold turkey with zero side effects. It didn’t give me the warm fuzzy feeling like opioids, but that wasn’t an issue for me.
While kratom can also be addictive, it appears VASTLY safer than the stuff being prescribed. I only take it now when I’m in a lot of pain, but never feel the urge to take it.
I really, really wish there was more research going into it, because it’s saved so many people from opioids.
Sadly, we’ve learned from history that corporations will fight to keep selling addictive products, even at the cost of killing their customers.

[derek]

The quality of these videos is great! but (there has to be a but sometimes) i was a bit disappointed when you mentioned tolerance but didnt go through it, although i know that in tolerance less and less receptors exist with higher doses it would have been nice to get a recap on it, maybe learn a new detail or correct a fault i might have. Maybe you wanted to keep the video relatively short so idk

[Kabup]

There's the other side, the mental addiction. When you don't have pain at all, even the minor trace of pain is unbearable, so you take drugs to avoid it. The level of pain supported is too low, when compared with other people. .

[warpdrive]

Very unique channel! Great video! Love from India :)

[science_and_anonymous]

The opioid addiction dilemma will most likely not be solved because our classification of addiction is greatly emphasized too much on pharmacology alone, not psychopharmacology. We as a species are driven to coping strategies which appeal in a variety of forms. Classical addiction is just as much someone hoarding, as it is someone using methamphetamine from a non-licensed source to "cure" their ADHD, as they don't have the availability to get a prescription for amphetamine "Adderall". If we create a mentally healthy society, we will have a society that uses drugs responsibly. Recreational or not.

[TheMg]

Physical dependence isn't the same as mental addiction. Most people who are legally prescribed opioids for pain never become addicts. Of the small percentage that do, most have abused one or more drugs recreationally before. Opioid overdose deaths are rising primarily as a result of U.S. government drug policy, and the crackdown on legal prescribing of opioid pain meds. It isn't drug manufacturers, or doctors, or hospitals, or opioid drugs themselves which are the primary factors involved in addiction. So focusing on any of those things isn't going to solve the primary problems, which are U.S. government drug policy, and the despair and desperation caused by severe economic inequality and injustice.

By the way, thumbs up and subscribed. Your concern and work are appreciated. A pain med that doesn't get people even a little bit high would be great if the high feeling was really a significant part of the problem. Unfortunately, it isn't.

[solchapeau]

This video is focused on Opioids, but let me give a bit of real life advice. Do not call a suicide hotline if you live in the U.S. Due to "mandated reporter" laws, you may call a hotline for support, and end up with police forcing you out of your home, into a mental health watch in a hospital, and then get a massive bill (often $2000-$5000).

Instead call family or friends and talk about whatever's on your mind. Speaking to a loved one about literally anything can help you get through the worst part of the suicidal thoughts, and will improve your mood (at least for a little bit).

[unvergebeneid]

Tolerance comes from an increase in receptors, right? Is there also research underway that leaves the opioids as they are but tries to prevent this increase receptors?

[morrisonandrew]

the problem is the government tells us opiates aren't safe, when they are, they are just addictive. Removing the addictive qualities would make the drug useable, not to mention it's all we have. As well as overdoses from Tylenol in common opiates probably made up for 75% of the deaths. The only problem now is fentanyl has taken over because of under prescribing doctors.

[pigbenis]

Does anyone have a link to the number of annual oxycodone deaths? The cdc says they track each type of overdose, but only make numbers available that group several types of drug overdose together.

[sciencenonfiction]

My organic chem professor says fluorinating opioids could prevent them from being active in the brain, but remain active at the more acidic sites of injured tissue. Is that true? He admittedly doesn't know a whole lot about biology.

[eatmorenachos]

Weed offers pain relief, without addiction. Maybe you could do a video on this, and CBD as well? Some people rave about CBD. It'd be interesting to hear what the science is on that.

[TheMaskedRacoon]

Kratom saves lives! It's good for pain, doesn't stop your breathing, is not as addictive as prescription opioids, and makes you feel happy and relaxed but not too happy. Don't do Kratom daily though, unless you need it for pain. Kratom doesn't let you overdose on it because if you do, you will get nauseous and vomit.

[choedzin]

Doesn't the fact that not everyone who takes opioids gets addicted indicate that the addiction lies rather with the addict than with the substance? I've known people who were addicted to solitaire, for instance.

[susanne]

Do I understand correctly that opioids just stop the message of pain? Because ibuprofen and diclofenac and the like also have anti inflammatory effects. They really help with healing.

The people I know who get prescribed opioids as painkillers don't seem to experience much relief. They have to take additional regular painkillers and do other therapies to get the pain bearable.

The only place I find opioids really helpful is end of life care, when the breathing can no longer supply the body with enough oxygen and breathing becomes laboured and people start fearing suffocation. Morphine will really help there.

[MrXdeDEdex]

Maybe we can find one that only limits certain neurotransmitters?
It's still amazing how science has evolved in the past 100 years though.

[RandyR]

Problem is skyrocketing. More people are dying. Been offered it and refused. Yes, am in constant pain. On ice pack now. Have taken strong pain killers, in the past. Thankfully I kicked them!