Pain relief without the risks: World-first discovery of opioid alternative found in Tasmanian mud
<p>Australian scientists think they have found the world’s first alternative to opioid pain relief. </p>
<p>The catch? It is in the form of a tiny fungus. </p>
<p>The organism was discovered 16 years ago embedded in mud on a boat ramp in Huon Valley, Tasmania. </p>
<p>Researchers at the University of Sydney and Queensland University told<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/health-news-pain-killing-drugs-alternative-to-opioids-found/7e2e1c11-4895-47b8-b060-86963cef3b69" target="_blank">9News</a><span> </span>they discovered the fungus had an unusual molecule which looked almost identical to endorphins, used as a natural pain relief mechanism. </p>
<p>"The molecules we've found hit that opioid receptor just as potent as morphine, but we are very hopeful we have good scientific evidence to believe that they will not have the same adverse side effects," Professor Rob Capon from the University of Queensland said. </p>
<p>"No one has ever looked at microorganisms, bacteria and fungi before as a source of pain drugs."</p>
<p>One of the dangerous side effects of opioids is that they are able to induce respiratory depression.</p>
<p>However researchers are confident this new drug will provide the same pain relief without that risk. </p>
<p>"Overdose deaths should decrease dramatically with this drug" Professor Macdonald Christie from the University of Sydney told reporters. </p>
<p>"If it's not addictive, then that's even better, because part of the problem is people become addicted to opiates, they use too much, they start to use them illicitly and that's where the problem is."</p>
<p>The drug is currently in the discovery phase and scientists are looking for industry partners to take up licenses to their patent. </p>
<p>However, it may still be decades before the product hits shelves.</p>
