Russian scientists have developed molecule blocking pleasure from drugs

UFA, 30 January 2017. /Bashinform News Agency, Ksenia Kalinina/. The Russian scientists have developed a molecule blocking pleasure from drugs taking. By 2023, it could become a basis of the first domestic drug dependence treatment, "Izvestia" newspaper reports .

The new drug in fact is a non-drug analogue of morphine. After its introduction into the blood the body starts to produce antibodies that prevent penetration of drugs into the brain. A patient does not get any pleasure from taking drugs, thus losing a motivation to use them. Scientists state that the drug can be effective in fight against opioid addiction: heroin, morphine, desomorphine. The treatment course is designed for one or two years.

Theoretically, the drug can be used to prevent falling into addiction - for example, among teenagers. But first, the drug must pass clinical trials to make it clear what the side effects it has. Testing in animals will start later this year. If all goes well, researchers will move to human clinical trials.