Endogenous Opioid System--need some answers!

[matty0212]

Hello Everyone:

 

I'm a fairly well educated guy currently in graduate school, but what I am studying probably could be considered the polar opposite of biochemistry.

 

My question is about the endogenous opioid system and long term methadone treatment (MMT). I've been trying to read some journal articles that look into either one topic (eos) or the other (MMT), but I have yet to find one that really contains the answers I am looking for, not to mention that with most articles, I have to constantly look up terms I don't understand. My general knowledge about biology, chemistry, and these topics in particular is more extensive than most laypeople, but I'm definitely not educated enough to be able to look through these articles at a rate conducive to finding some answers.

 

So here is my question--what is the prevailing theory on the effect that MMT has on one's EOS? If someone has been in MMT for many years, is it even possibel for an individual's biochemistry to return to normal? It's common sense that daily administration of a mu-opioid receptor agonist like methadone would have some effect on biochemical pathways related to endogenous opioids, I just don't know what those effects are, and where the "point of no return" is--that period of time after which the ability to recover and restabilize without chemical intervention (via MMT) is impossible.

 

Thank you so much for your help. I apologize for this lengthy post, but it has been on my mind for some time.

 

Matty0212

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I've spoken to numerous GP's about this, and I have gotten nowhere. They all seem to have "answers" but they are never answers that adress my specific questions. I think it's most likely a case of an older MD not wanting to admit they don't know the answer to a patient.

 

At any rate, if there is someone that does know about this and can offer any type of assistance, but would rather speak privately, please feel free to PM me. If there is anyone out there able to speak with some authority on this topic, you would be helping me more than you can possibly imagine.

 

Thanks!

[matty0212]

Hello science community! I'm still hoping there is someone out there that can help me with this or at least point me in the right direction (see initial post). It seems like my only alternative is to enroll in medical school to find an answer, and I'm already working toward a Ph.D.!