http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-08-17/this-drug-could-end-america-s-painkiller-epidemic
The new molecule targets the brain-mediated emotional component of pain. This allows it to kill pain just as well as morphine does, without the side effects of respiratory suppression and dopamine-driven addiction in the brain. (Regular painkillers target both the brain-mediated and reflexive response aspects of pain.) The new drug also causes less constipation and doesn’t affect spinal cord reflexive responses as traditional narcotics do, according to the study. The potential difference in addiction was shown in experiments involving mice…
Manglik estimates that it will take multiple years for the compound to be tested in humans, noting the importance of such trials to learn more about PZM21’s addictive properties and safety. “The real experiment for a lot of these things is going to have to happen in humans,” he said, adding that addiction is “really a human disease.” …
This drug kills pain as well as morphine does? Don’t be fooled…
“brain-mediated emotional component of pain”
I may not be a neurologist, but I can read between the lines. Researchers are trying to go around the main areas of the brain that deal with pain to target the area that deals with the “emotional component” of pain. It’s my understanding that this is how antidepressants can alleviate pain, along with other drugs prescribed off-label for pain, like anticonvulsants and antipsychotics. It’s also similar to drugs used to treat addiction.
On the Wikipedia page for this new drug (PZM21) under “See Also,” I found this (which looks like the same drug):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cebranopadol
Notably, it has also been found to be more potent in models of chronic neuropathic pain than acute nociceptive pain…
As an agonist of the κ-opioid receptor, cebranopadol may have the capacity to produce psychotomimetic effects and other adverse reactions at sufficiently high doses, a property which could potentially limit its practical clinical dosage range…
Google definition: A drug with psychotomimetic actions mimics the symptoms of psychosis, including delusions and/or delirium, as opposed to just hallucinations…
And on the Wikipedia page for cebranopadol, I found a link to norbuprenorphine.
I wish the research community was on the right path in the study of pain, but as far as I’m concerned, they’re following paths dictated by the funding they receive, which is anti-opioid. (In other words, we’re fucked.)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK57254/
(2010) Translational Pain Research: From Mouse to Man.
Chapter 15, Human Brain Imaging Studies of Chronic Pain
The advent of non-invasive human brain imaging technologies provided the opportunity for direct examination of the human brain. This occurred about 15 years ago with the related expectation that we were at the threshold of a revolution in our understanding of chronic pain. This expectation remains largely unfulfilled, although much has been published in the topic. Here we concentrate mainly on our own work in the topic, arguing in general that the subject of brain mechanisms of chronic pain remains in its infancy mainly because of a heavy emphasis in the field on studying nociception rather than chronicity of pain…
All Things Chronic 
Probably off topic but…I was curious to ask if you’ve ever gotten cortisone shots? If you have, did they help you?
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Yes, I had three sets of injections. Had to be put under, but it was done on an outpatient basis. After the first set of injections, I thought I had some relief for about 24 hours afterwards. Turns out, that was due to the anesthetics they used, not from the cortisone. So, no, I didn’t get any benefit. But that’s probably because my condition was already too advanced.
I’ve read stories of pain patients who get relief from injections, but I’ve also read about patients who have been damaged by them. I guess the most important thing to know is that cortisone injections can work temporarily, but most patients have to go back for more and more. And since too much cortisone can degrade your bones, it’s not recommended that you have too many injections. (Especially women.) Used to be that 3 per year was the limit, but most doctors go past that.
If you decide to have them, let me know how it goes. 🙂
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I’m supposed to get one on the 26th for my neck and headaches. You don’t know HOW much I can’t stand needles! I have two herniated discs in my neck from my accident.
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Herniated discs. Major bummer. Especially in the neck. I’m not sure the medical industry has come up with a successful treatment for this condition, which I also suffer from. The cortisone will hopefully reduce the inflammation, which may give you some relief. It’s just that the body becomes inflamed to protect itself while these kinds of injuries heal — so, while reducing the inflammation may reduce the pain, I’m just not sure it aids in healing.
If I was your doctor, I would suggest some serious stretching. While your body tries to heal the discs, your muscles will retract and get tight, adding to your pain. Stretching and keeping your muscles loose is important. Drinking a lot of water is also important. Ice and heat, of course, whenever you feel like it.
I think some herniated discs can heal, but I’m not sure how many. Thing is, it takes a lot of time. You’ll have to be patient.
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Well the therapist said it might take at least two years to heal or it’s permanent. My neck didn’t hurt before but almost five months later it does! I’m still getting headaches plus stress doesn’t help.
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