Research Topic · Peer-Reviewed

Opioids

Opioids are a class of analgesic compounds that relieve pain by binding to opioid receptors, principally the mu, kappa, and delta receptors, located in the central and peripheral nervous systems. They include naturally occurring substances derived from the opium poppy, semisynthetic derivatives, and fully synthetic …

Curated from this journal's research 📚 10 peer-reviewed articles cited Cited 33× across the literature 🔖 ISSN 2688-5328 🗓 Reviewed June 2026

Overview

Opioids are a class of analgesic compounds that relieve pain by binding to opioid receptors, principally the mu, kappa, and delta receptors, located in the central and peripheral nervous systems. They include naturally occurring substances derived from the opium poppy, semisynthetic derivatives, and fully synthetic agents, as well as the body's own endogenous opioid peptides such as endorphins and enkephalins. By activating these receptors, opioids inhibit the transmission and alter the central perception of nociceptive signals, producing potent analgesia along with effects on mood and the autonomic nervous system. In pain management they are used for moderate to severe acute pain, including post-surgical and procedural pain, and for selected chronic and cancer-related pain, often as part of a broader multimodal strategy that combines pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches. Research in this field examines analgesic dosing and pain-trend analysis, the development of novel analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents, and adjunctive methods such as music-induced engagement of endogenous opioid production. Clinical use is tempered by characteristic adverse effects, including constipation, nausea, sedation, and respiratory depression, and by the risks of tolerance, dependence, and misuse, which necessitate careful patient selection, monitoring, and stewardship. Understanding opioid pharmacology, receptor mechanisms, and the balance between efficacy and risk is central to effective and responsible pain management.

Research published in this journal

10 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.

How this research is being cited

The 10 articles above have been cited 33 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.

A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Opioids, linking to each citing work.

Editorial oversight

Curated from peer-reviewed research published in International Journal of Pain Management (ISSN 2688-5328).

Journal editorial board
Maurizio Evangelista · Italy Anne Manyande · UNITED KINGDOM Dimos-Dimitrios Mitsikostas · Greece

This page summarises published research for orientation; it is not medical or professional advice.