Opiate Receptors in the body

1. Opiate Receptors in the body

2. The opioid system controls pain, reward and addictive behaviors. Opioids exert their pharmacological actions through three opioid receptors, mu, delta and kappa whose genes have been cloned (Oprm, Oprd1 and Oprk1, respectively).

3. Opioid receptors in the brain are activated by a family of endogenous (produced inside the body) peptides like enkephalins, dynorphins and endorphins, which are released by neurons. 

4. Opioid receptors can also be activated exogenously (chemicals from outside the body) by alkaloid opiates, the prototype of which is morphine, which remains the most valuable painkiller in contemporary medicine.

5. Research involving opiate drugs and opiate receptors is a high priority because of problems associated with them. Because of the euphoric state associated with opiates, they are a class of drug often misused and abused. They can also be highly addicting. In particular, prescription opiates can be problematic because they can be obtained legally from a doctor.

6. The availability of opiate painkillers – through prescription and sale on the black market – has resulted in unforeseen cases of dependence. • Natural opiates are contained in the resin of the opium poppy plant and include morphine and codeine. • Semi-synthetic opiates are created from natural opioids and include buprenorphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, hydromorphone and oxymorphone. • Fully synthetic opioids include Fentanyl, Tramadol and Methadone.

7. Once the body’s opioid receptors have been desensitized because of prolonged use, users can build up a tolerance and require a higher dose to achieve the same effect. Physical and/or psychological addiction can occur with regular use.

12. Narcan – The friend of the person who overdoses!!

13. Opiate Antagonist The term opiate antagonist or opioid antagonist is used to describe a receptor antagonist that acts upon the opioid receptors that are naturally found in the human body. Opiate antagonists drugs are used to bind to the opioid receptors in the body more strongly or with a higher affinity that agonists which results in the blocking of the opiate receptors and prevents the body from have a response to drugs such as heroin or other opiates.

14. There are a number of different opiate antagonist drugs but two of the most commonly used opiate antagonists that are used in opiate addiction treatment include: Naloxone Naltrexone These are called competitive antagonists and they prevent the normal response that the body has to opiates by blocking opioid receptors and weakening the effect that an opiate has on causing chemical changes in the user.

15. https://www.opiates.com/opiates/opiate-receptors/ http://www.opiate.com/antagonist/