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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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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![Chemical structure of Pillar[6]MaxQ](https://d2cbg94ubxgsnp.cloudfront.net/Pictures/100x67/6/2/1/523621_chempr1747_proof1_891632.jpg)
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
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FeatureUsing genetics to personalise prescriptions
We’ve known for a long time that different people respond to certain drugs to very different extents, but now cheap DNA testing could make these disparities a thing of the past, as Ian Le Guillou reports
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NewsDrug discovery AI that developed new nerve agents raises difficult questions
Researchers shocked by how easily algorithm discovered novel poisons even deadlier than VX
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![Terphen[3]arene](https://d2cbg94ubxgsnp.cloudfront.net/Pictures/100x67/7/3/6/518736_d2cc00040gf1_733670.jpg)
ResearchSulfonated macrocycle helps the medicine go down
A supramolecular approach makes alkaloid drugs taste less bitter
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ResearchTiny shear forces have big effect on protein reactions
Proteins react faster under the forces they experience when they squeeze through blood vessels
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ResearchProtein impurities found in AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine stir debate
Compounds might cause side effects but are unlikely to be behind extremely rare blood-clotting events
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OpinionThe side effects of being unique
Even the largest clinical trials won’t capture all possible bad reactions to a drug – we need pharmacovigilance