How gut bacteria affect opioid pain relief and tolerance
Official title: Probiotic neuroimmune modulation of morphine tolerance
Funded at University of New Hampshire · NIH-10796314 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how changes in the bacteria in your gut might affect how well opioid pain medications work for you, helping to find out who might be more likely to develop problems with opioid use before they start treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Hampshire NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $479,535 |
| NIH project number | 1R15DA058187-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10796314 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who are prescribed opioids for pain management.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not using opioids for pain relief or those with existing opioid use disorder may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between gut microbiome alterations and the development of opioid tolerance in adults using opioid medications for pain relief. By examining how changes in gut bacteria may influence the effectiveness of opioids, the study aims to identify patients who are at higher risk for developing opioid use disorder before they start treatment. The approach includes analyzing the gut microbiome of participants and monitoring their response to opioid analgesics over time. This could lead to personalized treatment strategies that consider an individual's gut health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help identify patients at risk for opioid use disorder and improve pain management strategies, potentially reducing the incidence of opioid addiction.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the gut-brain axis and its impact on various health conditions, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of New Hampshire
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Whistler, Cheryl Allyne — University of New Hampshire
- Study coordinator: Whistler, Cheryl Allyne
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.