Eli5; After reading the post on the adenosine blocking features caffiene has I have follow up questions. Is that the same process that pain killers have? And does the fact that it has to make new paths aid in the memory loss that painkillers (opiods specifically) give you?

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Eli5; After reading the post on the adenosine blocking features caffiene has I have follow up questions. Is that the same process that pain killers have? And does the fact that it has to make new paths aid in the memory loss that painkillers (opiods specifically) give you?

In: Chemistry

2 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

No, the over the counter meds typically are COX inhibitors. Interrupts a chemical pathway that causes pain and inflammation. Doesn’t have a receptor. Opioids don’t cause memory problems. They cause central nervous system depression (read suboptimal processing). You don’t remember things well because it stunts your brain’s ability to process things. That’s why they help with pain. Makes it easier to ignore.

Anonymous 0 Comments

You seem to have misunderstood a lot of things.

There are 3 types of painkillers and only one of them have effects on memory. None of them interact with the adenosine receptors.

NSAIDs(eg. aspirin, ibuprofen) work by inhibiting the cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) enzyme which is responsible for inflammation.

Opioids work by activating μ-opioid receptors. This also causes the brain(and other parts of the nervous system) to slow down, which is why it effects memory.

There’s also paracetamol, but how it works as isn’t fully known yet.