2 ms·
If nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (NAChR) agonists were true substitutes for opioids, wouldn't that imply that nicotine could be useful in kicking opiates? I
by sterlind 7y ago
If nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
(NAChR) agonists were true substitutes for opioids, wouldn't that imply that nicotine could be useful in kicking opiates? I'm a little fuzzy on the neuroscience, but iirc one of the distinguishing features of opioids are that they induce both happiness and wanting. When simple dopamine agonism is used (for example, electrical stimulation of the basal ganglia), patients report wanting the stimulation, but not enjoying it (a little like "tomacco" from that Simpson's episode.)
I'm sure snake venom contains more psychoactive constituents than an a NAChR agonist, and I'd love to know what else is in that juice.