Scientists have known for decades that opioids relieve pain by binding to molecular switches in the brain called mu-opioid receptors. What they didn't know—until now—was exactly what happens next.

Scientists have discovered that the body can naturally dull pain through its own localized “benzodiazepine-like” peptides. A groundbreaking study led by a University of Leeds scientist has unveiled ...

Over-the-counter pain medications work as well or better than opioids after wisdom tooth extraction for both men and women, according to a Rutgers Health-led follow-up to a landmark paper on ...

An experimental drug developed by researchers at Duke University could be a key component in solving the nation’s opioid epidemic. Known as “SBI-810,” the drug avoids the “high” that is tied to ...

Female hormones can suppress pain by making immune cells near the spinal cord produce opioids, a new study from researchers at UC San Francisco has found. This stops pain signals before they get to ...

How could a non-opioid painkiller improve the lives of people with chronic pain? What makes a non-opioid painkiller safer than traditional opioids for pain management? Painkillers like opioids can ...

Opioids, such as oxycodone, morphine, codeine, tramadol and fentanyl, are commonly prescribed to manage pain. You might be ...