Opioid & Pain

Combatting the Opioid Epidemic

Working across disciplines to minimize pain and reduce the impact of addictive opioid drugs

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One of the basic tenets of medicine is the lessening of pain, and unfortunately for many, has led to an epidemic in the use of powerful and addicting analgesics known as opioids.

Michigan Medicine researchers are leading the field in researching evidence-based ways to more responsibly prescribe these drugs and to help patients living with opioid use disorders. Our scientists are also actively exploring effective alternative pain relievers that can help people live lives with less suffering.

Featured News & Stories
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Health Lab

Who’s at risk for painful periods?

A University of Michigan-led study looked more closely at dysmenorrhea, which is pain that comes with menstruation, in girls before and after their first periods.
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Health Lab

Psychoactive substances and adverse side effects for patients with multiple sclerosis

Psychoactive substances can give immediate relief to people living with multiple sclerosis, but some come with adverse side effects. Research led by University of Michigan Health looks at the positive and negative impacts of using psychoactive substances to manage symptoms.
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Medicine at Michigan

Managing pain one (super-thin) needle at a time

Neil Nixdorff, M.D. (Fellowship 2024), promotes and teaches auricular acupuncture as a way to manage pain.

Recent Podcast Episodes in Opioid & Pain
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Health Lab Podcast

Studying Period Pain

A study looks at risk factors for pain with menstruation in adolescents.
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Health Lab Podcast

7-OH, kratom and the emerging public health crisis for sale across the country

A patient, his doctor and other experts warn of dangers of 7-OH, which is touted as a derivative of kratom and is widely available, but packs far more opioid danger.
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The Fundamentals

Researching Psychedelics for Potential Therapeutic Use

Recently, interest in psychedelic research has seen a resurgence, strengthened by better designed and controlled clinical trials and the use of neuroimaging, examining psychedelics' potential therapeutic use for PTSD, addiction, anxiety, and depression. On today’s episode, we talk with Dr. George Mashour, professor of anesthesiology and pharmacology and founder of the Michigan Psychedelic Center about using rigorous scientific methods to unlock the mysteries of psychedelics and investigate their potential as therapeutics.

Opioid & Pain Researchers

Meet the Experts

Michigan Medicine researchers are tackling the complexities of opioid use and pain management to address one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time.

See All Researchers