Morphine Relief Without Addiction?

Roland Piquepaille writes "Morphine has been used as a painkiller for decades, if not centuries. Unfortunately for patients, morphine is also an addictive substance. Now, Brigham Young University (BYU) chemists are using a vine plant that grows in Australia to develop a new painkilling molecule, but with fewer side effects. The Deseret Morning News reports that the BYU chemists hope to ease pain with hasubanonine, the synthetic compound they created and which has a similar molecular structure as morphine. Still, more tests need to be done before this natural drug can replace morphine."

Comments

Re:Next up: Fire that doesn't burn you!

[ElephanTS]

Actually that's a common misperception about marajuana. It is physically addictive and heavy users experience shakes,sweats and all sorts in withdrawal. It's possibly due to larger quantites of THC present in modern weed - but it is definitely physically addictive. Trust me, I was there till last year and know many, many people who have suffered in the same way.