Pharmacology and psychoactive substances
The latest chemistry news and research on pharmacology, including pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, drug abuse and psychoactive substances, from the Royal Society of Chemistry's magazine, Chemistry World
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FeatureCone snail venom peptides offer new hope for pain relief
Cone snails deploy sophisticated venom cocktails to paralyse prey. Anthony King talks to the researchers harnessing these peptides to develop new pain medications
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WebinarTaking the sting out of pain: how marine venoms can be used to heal
Join us on 24 April to learn how marine venoms are being used to treat chronic pain
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NewsIn 2023, the UK was the first country to approve a Crispr therapy. How’s it doing?
Disconnect exists between the media hype around gene-editing treatment and the reality for patients
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ResearchCryo-EM snapshots reveal insight into how opioids activate their receptor
Insights from structural images could help design new opioids and antidotes to them
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ResearchGut bacterium amplifies amphetamine’s addictive pull
Discovery could lead to better ways to treat addiction
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ResearchLSD analogue synthesised by swapping just two atoms less likely to cause hallucinations
New molecule shows promise for treating neuropsychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia
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OpinionHow natural nanomotors could propel new drug delivery systems
Biological cells including bacteria, sperm cells and microalgae show promise for precision treatments
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BusinessNew type of painkiller approved in US
Sodium channel blocker prevents nerves transmitting pain signals
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ResearchMapping metabolite disturbances by drugs
High-throughput metabolomic profiling gives insight into unpredictable drug effects
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ResearchCompanion compound for naloxone could boost opioid reversal effects, save lives
Discovery could help in fight against super-strength opioids such as fentanyl
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ResearchScreening reveals thousands of ‘undrugged, yet druggable’ proteins
Collaboration involving Pfizer develops freely accessible AI tool to probe protein–compound interactions
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NewsExplainer: nitazenes and xylazine – a cause for concern
Why is the use of these highly potent synthetic drugs rising dramatically?
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ResearchNew insights into polyamorphism could influence how drugs are formulated
Findings suggest dihedral angle distribution might explain why polyamorphs have different physical properties
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BusinessUS regulator says phenylephrine is ineffective as a decongestant
FDA will begin consultation on removing the drug from hundreds of over-the-counter remedies
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ResearchBiochemistry behind CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects points to new ways to treat inflammation
Cell studies unravel mechanism of action but human studies are needed
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NewsAustralia greenlights psychedelics for depression while UK research falls further behind
MDMA and psilocybin are to be offered to be patients suffering from intractable mental health conditions
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ResearchLipophilicity helps explain psychedelic drugs’ therapeutic effects
Understanding why psychedelic drugs that bind to serotonin receptors promote neuron growth, while serotonin itself does not
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ResearchMolecular trap that snares many different drugs could save lives during overdoses
Macrocyclic compound can mop up drugs of abuse in animal tests – including those for which no reversal agent exists
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NewsAlarm sounded after chemists discover new analogue of ketamine in Australia
Long-term health effects of novel psychoactive substance are unknown