A new vaccine may be able to totally block that effects of fentanyl — potentially saving thousands of Americans from overdoses each year.
Researchers at the University of Houston, in Texas, developed a shot that was able to stop the extremely potent drug from entering the brains of rats.
Fentanyl binds to opioid receptors in areas of the brain that control pain and emotions. During an overdose, the brain is starved of oxygen, which kills off neurons.
The shot was able to block the drug from entering the brain without affecting other painkillers like morphine, meaning a vaccinated person could still be treated with other drugs if needed.
[Sounds promising, but wouldn’t you have to get addicts to take the vaccine in the first place? How many fentanyl users would sign up to disable their high? On the other hand, it might be a good option for police who risk serious illness and death when they come into contact with it. — Ed]
Join the conversation as a VIP Member