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?

Question

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

Answer 1

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.