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Team:Imperial College London/Opiorphin
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| - | Opiates such as morphine and heroin function by binding to and stimulating 'pleasure receptors'. It is for this reason that they are | + | Opiates such as morphine and heroin function by binding to and stimulating 'pleasure receptors'. It is for this reason that they are addictive. The body naturally makes a range of 'pleasure' compounds called endorphines. These are released after stimuli such as eating and exercise. Rather than directly stimulating 'pleasure receptors', opiorphin slows the breakdown of these naturally produced endorphines. Owing to its mechanism of action, opiorphin is thought to be non addictive. |
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| + | With regards to its potency, opiorphin is estimated to be 6 times as powerful as morphine! | ||
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Revision as of 12:16, 24 September 2009
Opiorphin
Opiates such as morphine and heroin function by binding to and stimulating 'pleasure receptors'. It is for this reason that they are addictive. The body naturally makes a range of 'pleasure' compounds called endorphines. These are released after stimuli such as eating and exercise. Rather than directly stimulating 'pleasure receptors', opiorphin slows the breakdown of these naturally produced endorphines. Owing to its mechanism of action, opiorphin is thought to be non addictive.
With regards to its potency, opiorphin is estimated to be 6 times as powerful as morphine!
