Natural-born painkiller found in human saliva

[buriedinbooks]

Natural-born painkiller found in human saliva

22:00 13 November 2006 -- NewScientist.com news service -- Andy Coghlan

...Saliva from humans has yielded a natural painkiller up to six times more powerful than morphine, researchers say.
The substance, dubbed opiorphin, may spawn a new generation of natural painkillers that relieve pain as well as morphine but without the addictive and psychological side effects of the traditional drug.
When the researchers injected a pain-inducing chemical into rats’ paws, 1 gram of opiorphin per kilogram of body weight achieved the same painkilling effect as 3 grams of morphine.
The substance was so successful at blocking pain that, in a test involving a platform of upended pins, the rats needed six times as much morphine as opiorphin to render them oblivious to the pain of standing on the needle points...

rest of article at www.newscientist.com

[brians2000]

I would love to be on a pain killer without the dependency that occurs to anyone who has been on strong narcotics for awhile. Brian

Wow !! The implications of such a medication would be huge !!!

Sign me up !!

[TC44]

I'm not so optimistic - considering the source. The publication would be more aptly named "New Pseudoscientist" as they will print about anti-gravity cars and invisibility clothes soon to be on the market as well as many other half-baked theories, self promotions and fantasies. It's the National Inquirer of modern science.

TC

[Bluey]

Well, I find it interesting.
Makes sense too.
Saliva with pain inhibitors sounds logical.
Keeping the mouth pain free would benefit any organism.

[Bluey]

Don't know much about the New Scientist publication though.

[buriedinbooks]

Originally Posted by TC44

I'm not so optimistic - considering the source. The publication would be more aptly named "New Pseudoscientist" as they will print about anti-gravity cars and invisibility clothes soon to be on the market as well as many other half-baked theories, self promotions and fantasies. It's the National Inquirer of modern science.

TC

Hi TC...

I get Google alerts on topics dealing with chronic pain...that was how I found this article. Shared the contents bc of topic and intrigue.

Since I know nothing about the publication New Scientist, I went to their website after I read your post.

Have you subscribed to it? Seems like the main headquarter in is the UK. Anyway...here is some publishing info stated on the site:

...If you’re forever asking questions of the world around you, you’ll love New Scientist.

We’ve been at the forefront of science and technology reporting since 1956. The world has changed beyond recognition since then but our aim remains the same – to bring you the latest advances in a stimulating, lively and authoritative way.

With New Scientist magazine, every week you’ll enjoy a comprehensive round-up the latest science and technology news, reports, developments and research. You’ll not only find out what’s happening now and where but what’s coming next and how it will affect you.

No matter what your interest, you’ll find we have journalists and reporters who share it. From biology, physics and chemistry to astronomy, the environment, psychology and electronics, we’ve got it covered so that you hear about it first.

We have correspondents in every corner of the globe who contact leading scientists, scan thousands of journals and scientific websites and attend the world’s top scientific conferences to ensure you are kept up-to-date.

And, being at the forefront of science reporting, it’s no wonder that New Scientist has attracted famous luminaries as Prime Minister Tony Blair, George Soros, David Attenborough, Stephen Hawking, Bill Bryson, Alan Lightman and the Dalai Lama to share their views on some of the biggest and controversial issues in science with you...

and about who can submit articles

...Can I send in an article for publication in New Scientist?

Most of our feature articles are written either by researchers (who usually give first hand accounts of work in which they are involved) or by science journalists but we are open to anyone who can write in our style on topics which we find exciting. We don't encourage people to send in full-length material out of the blue because we will often not have time to read it. If you have a good idea for an article, you should send a short synopsis - no more than 400 words - by email to the features editor. And everyone is welcome to send letters for publication though you must include a postal address for your letter to be published ...

I didn't intend to offend anyone or offer false information...just share a recent article about chronic pain while giving source information.

Guess we should all adhere to "reader beware" and check out all sources/references personally.

Thanks for the heads up TC.

Have a painfree day everyone.

Carly

[sallyb]

That makes a whole lot of sense to me!!! I have noticed that at times when I hurt the most and couldn't do anything about it, I would find myself getting sleepy. All that could be is SOMETHING in the body running to the rescue!!! I have wondered how that works.

[TC44]

Hi Carly,

I don't (and shouldn't) have any qualms with your posting that information. It's news, it's out there and it concerns us. I haven't seen the Nov. 18 issue of NS yet but although they do print credible stories, I thought that last week's was lacking in the requisite dose of conjecture, fantasy and hokum. I should have known that they would make up for this on a subject of vital importance to me. But hey, they've got to make a living and if many articles are simply self-promotional press releases they can get by without actual writers and reporters.

If you will indulge me, I'll take off on a diatribe about the whole subject. This new drug is propertied to be "6 Times More Powerful Than Morphine" (their caps not mine). Also promising for: "antidepressant and erectile dysfunction treatment". And if I'm getting it right it is from shrew venom (not saliva itself) and will also treat "pain, migranes(sic), tremors and cancer".

The problem is that there have been hundreds of these potential miracle drugs over the past decades. And they are coming at a faster pace, but not due so much as to medical advances as to those in media communications, income from investors and self promotion. There are three times these things get a big splash, when they are 'discovered', when investors are needed and when it's time to recoup on those investments. When they finally reach us, reality differs greatly from the hype.

Here's an example. Ziconotide, new painkiller in natural form in venomous snails discovered in 1979. Promoted as "1,000 times the analgesic power of opiates". FDA approved 2004. Since then near silence due to difficulty of administering, side effects and I would have to guess, simple lack of effectiveness. But they seem confident to have an oral form available - in ten years. It was also noted to be contradicted in people with a history of psychosis, schizophrenia. In it's second incarnation they are aiming for "Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, depression, nicotine addiction and perhaps even schizophrenia". Even schizophrenia??

Basically it comes down to - Wow, neurotoxins affect nerves, nerves carry pain signals, we have a cure! But

Here's a sampling:

Endorphins 48 times more powerful than morphine (that was in the 80's)
Poison Dart Frogs X 200
Rattlesnake venom X 600
Marine cone snails X 1,000
Puffer fish up to X 3,000
And the winner is giant Israeli scorpion venom at 10,000 times more powerful than morphine.

There are still openings at X 500 and X 5,000 so if anyone knows of something poisonous that hasn't been claimed, we will be happy to add it to the list of discoveries.

TC

[buriedinbooks]

The problem is that there have been hundreds of these potential miracle drugs over the past decades. And they are coming at a faster pace, but not due so much as to medical advances as to those in media communications, income from investors and self promotion. There are three times these things get a big splash, when they are 'discovered', when investors are needed and when it's time to recoup on those investments. When they finally reach us, reality differs greatly from the hype.

Hi TC,

Great comment and oh so true...reality differs greatly from the hype.

I have been dealing with RA and DDD for 20 plus years and being a "good patient" have taken all the mighty potions the doctors have sent my way...with results being limited and less than stellar....unfortunately!

When I have nasty, atypical side effects from meds and relate this info to my doctor, I usually receive an incredulous stare in return. Even armed with DNA tests supporting the fact that I process meds differently...I get that stare. LOL

My hope is to live long enough to find an affordable, safe solution for treating my chronic pain while knowing that Big Pharma's main goal is to glean big profits through my maladies...sigh. I am looking for a miracle! LOL

A pain free day to all...

Carly---ever the optimistic pragmatist

PS Wonder why snakes, snails, and scorpians get to have the ultimate pain power???