New research at Washington University in St. Louis shows that it’s possible to activate opioid receptors with light instead of pain-killing drugs. The discovery eventually may lead to new ways to relieve severe pain without the addictive properties and side effects posed by opiate drugs.
From left, co-first author Bryan A. Copits, PhD, Michael R. Bruchas, PhD, and co-first author Edward R. Siuda used light to activate opiod receptors in the brains of mice.