Steven Crain
Pondera Pharmaceuticals, USA
Title: Novel methods that restore balance in the endogenous opioid system reduce drug dependence and tolerance
Biography
Biography: Steven Crain
Abstract
Through more than three decades of preclinical and clinical research, our team has discovered that imbalances in the
endogenous opioid system created by exposure to opioid and other drugs are responsible, at least in part, for the development
of drug tolerance, dependence, and addiction. Specifi cally, even short-term use of these drugs can produce excessive excitatory
opioid receptor signaling as well as diminished endorphin production, as initially revealed in our electrophysiological nerve
tissue culture studies. Moreover, our research has led to the discovery of simple methods to restore balance to the endogenous
opioid system, thereby reducing drug tolerance and dependence. We have extensive evidence that the addition of ultralow-
dose naltrexone (ULDN) dramatically reduces tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and other noxious side eff ects of opioid
drugs, including an FDA Phase III trial of 700+ lower-back pain patients. More recent research has found that specifi c
nutraceuticals, such as n-acetyl cysteine, can reduce excessive excitatory opioid receptor signaling, which when combined with
endorphin enhancers, such as caff eine, eff ectively reduce cravings for drugs and alcohol as well as food. In addition, these
novel endorphinergic nutraceutical formulations provide remarkable relief from emotional and physical distress, including
anxiety, obsessions, and compulsions. We also have had extensive experience with the challenges of the drug approval process
in the U.S. including working with the FDA, NIDA, and pharmaceutical companies, as well as the potential advantages of
translating pharmaceutical discoveries to nutraceutical formulations, which do not require FDA approval.