Tag: Opioid peptides

The endogenous opioid system, with its natural opioid peptides, was only discovered in the 1970s, centuries after humans first began using plant-derived opiates. Understanding what is the difference between opioid peptides and opiates requires exploring their distinct origins, structures, and physiological roles, despite their shared action on the body's opioid receptors.

The discovery of endogenous opioid peptides in 1975 revolutionized our understanding of pain and pleasure [1.2.1]. So, **what are opioid like peptides**? They are the body's own morphine-like substances, playing crucial roles in analgesia, mood, and stress responses [1.2.2, 1.4.2].