Harnessing Placebo Analgesia to Address the Opioid Epidemic
PROJECT SUMMARY The United States is in the midst of a serious opioid epidemic. Nearly 2 million adults have an opioid use disorder (OUD) and there has been a rapidly increasing rate of opioid overdose deaths. Prescription opioids are considered a major contributor to the opioid epidemic, and are frequently an antecedent to the use of illicit opioids, such as heroin. More than 200 million prescription opioids are dispensed each year in the U.S., and are frequently given to relieve pain among patients recovering from surgery. New methods of pain management are needed to reduce or eliminate the reliance on prescription opioids. This K01 application will prepare the candidate to pursue a career devoted to understanding and harnessing the placebo response in opioid and other substance misuse prevention and treatment. The candidate is very well suited for this career given his strong background in alcohol prevention and emerging expertise in placebo studies. The research plan will entail a