Neuro Effects of Opioids on the Human Brain

Previous researchers have explored the effect of opioids on the brain. Its adverse effects include respiratory depression, nausea, sedation, dysphoria, and impaired cognition. Opioids also modulate emotions, stress, rewards, emotions, memory, and learning (Feng et al., 2012). The euphoria and pain-relieving properties of opioids have been discussed since the Sumerian times. Research trace the mechanism of action of opioids to the coupling of receptors and inhibitors like the G-protein. The couple is activated by an agonist such an exogenous, or an endogenous μ-opioid peptide endorphin, the Gα, and Gβγ dissociate and act on effector pathways (van Rijn, DeFriel & Whistler, 2013). Pharmacological research found that pertussis-toxin-sensitive G proteins coupled with all the four types of opioids receptors. However, the most important aspect of the mode of action of the opioid receptor is its modulation of the K and Ca ions channels (Kaye et al., 2018). The effect of opioids is mediated by the activation of the delta, kappa and mu opioid receptors in the peripheral and central nervous systems (Drewes et al., 2012). Previous researchers have characterized these peptides and receptors and their genes; this study will use a secondary source to explore neuro effects opioids’ on the brain.

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