Scientists Discover Pain Relief Compound with Safer Profile Than Opioids

A team of scientists led by Laura Bohn was tasked with finding safer alternatives for pain management in 2012, as the opioid crisis began shifting from prescription pills to heroin.

Bohn and her colleagues discovered several compounds that could relieve pain without causing respiratory depression, a major concern when it comes to opioids. One compound in particular, SR-17018, showed great promise in relieving pain in mice. This was significant because respiratory depression is often the cause of death for people using opioids.

The researchers filed a patent on SR-17018 and went on to conduct further studies. Their findings suggested that this compound had several advantages over traditional opioids, including reduced tolerance development and the ability to reset morphine-dependent mice's tolerance without withdrawal symptoms.

The compound, often referred to as a "godsend by those who use it, has been helping individuals struggling with opioid addiction quit using these substances. On online forums such as Reddit and Discord, users have shared their positive experiences with the drug. However, its availability is now facing significant challenges due to recent actions by regulatory agencies.

Prior to this development, the compound was relatively easy to purchase online, despite not being a federally controlled substance. This accessibility allowed researchers like Bohn to explore its potential benefits without facing major obstacles. Nevertheless, the DEA's move has changed the landscape, making it more difficult for Bohn and her team to conduct further research.

The impact of the DEA's decision extends beyond the scientific community, affecting individuals who rely on the compound as a means to quit using opioids. The removal of this potential off-ramp for addiction is concerning, especially considering the lack of clinical evidence regarding its effectiveness in humans. For Bohn, the situation has become increasingly complicated, hindering her ability to proceed with planned research and safety studies.

For some individuals struggling with opioid addiction, a new substance has emerged as a potential solution: SR-17, also known as 7-hydroxymitragynine. This concentrated compound is derived from kratom and activates the brain's opioid receptors.

Jim Bates, a kitchen manager from Duncan, Oklahoma, was introduced to 7-OH, another kratom-derived substance, at a vape shop about two years ago. However, he eventually switched to MGM-15, which provided an effect similar to oxycodone. For Bates, his addiction had become all-consuming.

Bates' experience with SR-17 was transformative, it helped him taper off MGM-15 in just three weeks. Unlike previous attempts to quit 7-OH, which left him with anxiety and restless legs during withdrawal, SR-17 provided a smoother transition. He credits the substance as a freaking miracle" for his recovery.

Bates is not alone in his experience, others have also found relief from opioid addiction using SR-17. However, this development has been hindered by recent actions from regulatory bodies.

The effects of SR-17018 on opioid users have been notable, with one former user stating that he didn't experience physical withdrawal symptoms after taking it.

He credits this to the fact that SR-17018 doesn't produce a high or euphoria, in contrast to other substances. This characteristic has made it more appealing to some users who are trying to quit opioids.

Two individuals, Michael and another former 7-OH user, have successfully used SR-17018 to kick their opioid habit. They both prefer this substance over gold-standard drugs like buprenorphine and methadone because they don't require long-term use.

Denver attorney Robert Rush filed a request with the DEA to stop emergency scheduling of SR-17018, arguing that it has a lower risk profile compared to other synthetic opioids being banned at the time. However, his petition was ignored by the agency.

The DEA has provided further information regarding its decision to ban SR-17018, a synthetic opioid that some users had been turning to as an aid in quitting traditional opioids.

According to the agency's notice of intent to schedule SR-17018 and three other synthetic opioids, the drug was detected in two states via the National Forensic Laboratory Information System. This system analyzes samples of drugs seized by law enforcement, providing valuable insights into the presence and distribution of various substances across the country.

The notice also highlights that Rapid Drug Analysis and Research had identified some SR-17018 samples on the West Coast, suggesting a broader geographical reach for the substance. The agency's decision to schedule these synthetic opioids is based on their potential for abuse and trafficking, as well as concerns over overdose vulnerability when users reintroduce traditional opioids into their systems.

The DEA's decision to temporarily schedule SR-17018 has been met with criticism from researchers like Rush, who argue it is an overreach of the agency's emergency powers. According to Rush, the lack of evidence linking SR-17018 to overdose deaths or emergency room visits makes this scheduling a draconian measure.

During the two-year emergency period, which can be extended for another year, there will be no opportunity for judicial review of the DEA's decision. This has led critics to express concern that the process is being rushed and lacks transparency, potentially stifling further research into SR-17018's potential as an opioid dependency treatment.