Naltrexone: A History and Future Directions

Cerebrum : the Dana Forum on Brain Science, 2018, cer-13-18

DOI 10.1177/1073858418775449 PMID 30746025 Source

Abstract

Trying to kick drug addiction without medicines is said to be like relying on willpower to overcome diabetes or asthma. Enter naltrexone, which has been around since 1984 and reduces the cravings for drugs and alcohol by fine-tuning the brain's chemical reward system. Why has it recently increased in popularity? How does it compare to similar strategies? Has it made a difference? Our authors, who have long studied addiction and the brain, confront a drug and alcohol addiction problem that today kills more Americans each day than gun violence or car accidents.

Topics

naltrexone history, low-dose naltrexone, opioid antagonist therapy, naltrexone addiction treatment, naltrexone endorphin modulation, LDN autoimmune conditions, naltrexone alcohol dependence, opioid receptor blockade, naltrexone off-label uses, naltrexone fertility applications
PMID 30746025 30746025 DOI 10.1177/1073858418775449 10.1177/1073858418775449

Cite this article

Srivastava, A. B., & Gold, M. S. (2018). Naltrexone: A History and Future Directions. *Cerebrum : the Dana Forum on Brain Science*, *2018*, cer-13-18. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073858418775449

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