Image by Виктория Бородинова from Pixabay
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have developed a vaccine that successfully blocks the high of heroin for up to 8 months after getting the injection.
How does it work? It teaches the immune system to produce antibodies against heroin and its mind-altering products that create the high.
Trials with monkeys proved that once the injection is administered, they don’t feel the high because the heroin molecules never reach the brain. Heroin is an opioid class of drugs.
Now, there is hope for vaccines against other prescription pain relievers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine and fentanyl. Opioids account for more than half of all drug-related deaths.
As of 2017, more than 21 million Americans over the age of 12 were reported to have substance abuse disorders. It’s a national health and family crisis.
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