Researchers discovered SR-17018, a compound that relieves pain without causing respiratory depression—a major advantage over traditional opioids—and showed promise in helping mice overcome morphine dependence. Despite interest from online drug users and ongoing efforts to conduct human clinical trials, the DEA emergency-scheduled it as a Schedule I controlled substance in August 2025, effectively halting research and making it nearly impossible to study further.
Background
The opioid crisis in the US has driven intense research into safer pain management alternatives that do not carry the risk of respiratory depression or addiction. SR-17018 emerged as a promising candidate from lab studies but had never undergone human trials before the DEA action.
- Source
- Ars Technica
- Published
- Nov 4, 2026 at 11:08 PM
- Score
- 7.0 / 10