Dr. Jeff Langmaid explains why prescription opioids carry such high risks: they bind to brain receptors to block pain but also produce euphoria, leading to addiction in up to 30% of users. They cause drowsiness and respiratory slowdown, tolerance builds fast, and current guidelines discourage them for chronic pain outside cancer treatment.
Hi, I'm Dr. Jeff Langmaid with Research that Matters TV. It's estimated that over 200 million opioid prescriptions are written each year. This use and abuse has led to an epidemic that's been fueled by chronic pain. Opioids temporarily hide the pain by attaching to receptors in the brain and boosting feelings of pleasure. Unfortunately, they do nothing to stimulate healing, and that leads to a pattern of pain medications, more pain, and more medications. The good news is there is a better way to find relief. Opioids are in the same family of drugs as heroin. And some opioid medications are thought to be even more addictive. The temporary relief that often comes at a very steep price. In lower doses, opioids can cause drowsiness and dizziness. In higher doses, they can cause your breathing and heart rate to slow down to dangerous levels. But the most dangerous aspect of opioids is the addiction rate. That's estimated to be up to 30%. Opioids bind to the receptors in your nervous system that block pain and produce intense euphoria. Tolerance on opioids can occur within just a matter of days. And withdrawal symptoms are severe and can lead to addiction. Nearly all the latest healthcare guidelines have stopped recommending opioids for non cancer pain. In most cases, these drugs should not be taken for chronic pain or back pain. To find relief without these dangerous medications, give us a call. Today. We'll schedule a complete evaluation to discover the cause of your pain and then find ways to help you get back on your feet. I'll see you next week for another episode of Research that Matters tv.
