Invited Opinion Article - (2023) Volume 9, Issue 2
One important area for consideration especially in terms of combating the ongoing never ending opioid crisis, relates to novel newer assessments for all addictive behaviors both substance and non-substance behaviors (RDS). It is very important to identify early in one’s life the possibility of, because of known DNA antecedents, the presence of pre-addiction. The development of the Genetic Addiction Risk Severity (GARS) test, Blum’s group believes that this type of testing should be the “standard of care” following additional studies. Understandably that while polymorphisms in the Mu-Opioid receptor (MOR) is of real concern in terms of setting people up for predisposition to opioid dependence, the genetic and epigenetic status of dopaminergic function must be considered as well. While this sounds bold (which it is) the results should be protected by the G.I. N. A. law enacted in the USA in 2011. One avenue of further investigation, instead of providing powerful opioids for opioid dependence, is to seek out non-addictive alternatives. Accordingly, other non-addictive modalities including genetic guided KB220 ( amino-acid-enkephalinase-N-acetylcysteine-NAD), non-invasive rTMS for psychiatry and pain, epigenetic remodeling, gene edits, non-invasive H-wave for pain management and enhanced functionality, brain spotting, cognitive behavioral therapy, NUCALM, trauma therapy, awareness tools, genograms, exercise, sports, fitness programs (one hour per day), light therapy and even laughing therapy as well as any other known modalities that can induce reward symmetry. While the short-term use of opioids for opioid dependence to reduce harm is certainly acceptable, clinicians should consider a better long-term plan.
Opioid crisis • Genetic Addiction Risk Severity (GARS) • Reward •Deficiency Syndrome(RDS) • H-Wave • NuCalm • KB220 • Dopaminergic
One area for consideration relates to novel newer assessments for all addictive behaviors both substance and non-substance behaviors (RDS), that could distinguish between inflammatory pain relative to psychic pain [1]. It is indeed tantamount to our youth’s future mental health to develop a systematic validated coupling of neuropsychiatric measures with genetic addiction risk severity assessment specially to identify early on Preaddiction as suggested by Nora Volkow and George Koob directors of NIDA and NIAAA respectively [2]. In this regard, we believe that following more rigorous research, the Genetic Addiction Risk Severity (GARS) assessment may become a “standard of care” test even at birth [3]. Of course, it is to be understood that while polymorphisms in the MuOpioid Receptor (MOR) is of real concern in terms of setting people up for predisposition to opioid dependence, the genetic and epigenetic status of dopaminergic function must be considered as well. While this sounds bold (which it is) the results should be protected by the G.I. N. A. law enacted in the USA in 2011 [4]. Along with this type of genetic testing, this candidate approach is similar to the new FDA category of Genetic Health Risk (GHR) tests. One of us (ERB) suggested that in the future school systems should begin to adopt a novel Brain Health Check (BHC) utilizing validated neuropsychological assessments along with the RDSQ29 [5,6]. It is also important to be cognizant of epigenetic insults on reward genes such DRD2 methylation passed down to at least F2 generations. It is well-established that these histone modifications and other epigenetic modifications affect mRNA expression and in fact, it is known for example, that prenatal administration of THC can lead to increased sensitivity to morphine intake in animals as well vas deferens increased sensitivity to enkephalin & Norepinephrine activity [7,8].
Our future depends on finding non-addictive ways to modify or remove negative histone methylation or change mRNA transcription via gene editing [9]. With this stated we need “all hands on deck” to systematically develop a “unified theory of dopamine homeostasis” with the laudable goal of attenuating the long-term utilization of prescribing opioids for opioid dependence [10]. While it is true that during our worst opioid crisis since 1914, harm reduction in the short term is encouraged (6 months with tapering). Importantly, as reviewed herein, conversion to other non- addictive modalities including genetic guided KB220 (aminacid-enkephalinase-N-acetylcysteine-NAD), non-invasive rTMS for psychiatry and pain, epigenetic remodeling, gene edits, non-invasive H-wave for pain management and enhanced functionality, brain spotting, cognitive behavioral therapy, NUCALM, trauma therapy, awareness tools, genograms, exercise, sports, fitness programs (one hour per day), light therapy and even laughing therapy as well as any other known modalities that can induce reward symmetry [11-15]. From our point of view certainly reducing prescribing powerful opioids including buprenorphine and methadone with increased utilization of non-addicting naltrexone coupled with pro-dopamine regulation (e. g. KB220z) should help free people from the chains of addiction and pain and once again redeem joy in the 2 billion worldwide people cursed with the shackles of RDS [16].
Importantly, the Carter Center has determined that if the addiction crisis continues at the same rate, by 2030, it will cost America approximately 16 trillion dollars. The neurodevelopment of our children is compromised by mothers using opioids and other drugs during pregnancy [17]. A high rate of DNA polymorphic antecedents compounds epigenetic insults involving methylation onto specific essential genes related to normal brain function[18]. Myelination in the frontal cortex, known to take until the late twenties, delays proficient executive function and decisionmaking. Understanding this short-circuiting in brain development, along with potential high antecedent polymorphic risk variants or alleles and generational epigenetics, provides a clear rationale for embracing the Brain Research Commission (BRC) suggestion to mimic fitness programs with an adaptable Brain Health Check-up. Implementing the BHC within the educational systems in America and other countries might be a good starting point for proactive therapies to reduce juvenile mental health problems and eventually criminal activities, addiction, and other Reward Deficiency behaviors. To assist readers, we developed a schematic related to our futuristic model the reduce the unwanted and unnecessary abuse of powerfulopioids (Figure1).
Figure 1: Beyond Mor: Can induction of dopamine homeostasis along with electrotherapy attenuate the opioid crisis?
A new legacy whereby the defected RNAs are “cured” by gene edits and homo-sapiens once again reach the promised land [19,20].
The authors appreciate the edits by Margaret A Madigan.
The initial manuscript was developed by KB and CAD. ZF,NJ,KS,PKT,DB,AB;DB, RDB reviewed the article and made significant comments, literatures suggestions and approved the final manuscript. The schematic was developed by AB.
K.B. is a consultant for Electronic Waveform Lab Inc. Other authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results
K.B. along with Marjorie Gondre -Lewis (Howard University) are recipients of R41 MD012318/MD/NIMHD NIH HHS/United States. 1101 CX002099-01 (PI: R.D.B.) Merit review grant, Veterans Administration. PKT is recipient of R21 DA045640/DA/NIDA NIH HHS/United States; R33 DA045640/DA/NIDA NIH HHS/United States.
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Citation: Blum, K., et al. Beyond Mor: Can Induction of Dopamine Homeostasis Along with Electrotherapy Attenuate the Opioid Crisis?. Clin Exp Psychol, 2023, 9(2), 001-003
Received: 20-Feb-2023, Manuscript No. cep-23-89674; Editor assigned: 22-Feb-2023, Pre QC No. cep-23-89674 (PQ); Reviewed: 25-Feb-2023, QC No. cep-23-89674 (Q); Revised: 27-Feb-2023, Manuscript No. cep-23-89674 (R); Published: 02-Mar-2023, DOI: 10.35248/ 2471-2701.22.9(2).338
Copyright: ©2023 Blum, K. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Sources of funding : K.B. along with Marjorie Gondre -Lewis (Howard University) are recipients of R41 MD012318/MD/NIMHD NIH HHS/United States. 1101 CX002099-01 (PI: R.D.B.) Merit review grant, Veterans Administration. PKT is recipient of R21 DA045640/DA/NIDA NIH HHS/United States; R33 DA045640/DA/NIDA NIH HHS/United States
