Drug used for managing blood pressure found to eliminate traces of substance addiction
In a groundbreaking study at the University of Texas at Austin, researchers have discovered that a drug called isradipine, typically used to treat high blood pressure, could potentially revolutionise the approach to addiction recovery. The study, led by neuroscientist Hitoshi Morikawa, suggests that addiction may be more than just a matter of willpower or detox, but a memory problem.
The findings indicate that isradipine erases environmental triggers of addiction in rats hooked on cocaine or alcohol. Within a day of treatment, the rats no longer showed any preference for their "drug room", a space they had previously associated with their substance of choice. The memory-erasing effect was even more complete than in rats that had never used drugs, suggesting the memory that linked the coloured room with the experience of getting a hit was erased.
Isradipine seems to disrupt this rewiring by promoting neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to adapt and form new connections. This could change how addiction recovery programs are structured, focusing on reshaping memories and emotional processing rather than solely on abstinence.
The study offers hope rooted in science, suggesting that the memories and associations that make recovery hard may not be permanent. Researchers will now observe whether isradipine can reduce cravings or prevent relapse in controlled settings. Beyond isradipine, the findings raise the question of whether other medications promoting brain plasticity could have similar effects.
This new approach could lead to therapists and neuroscientists working together to reshape how patients remember and emotionally process their drug use. This move into the field of cognitive neuroscience could provide a fresh perspective on addiction treatment, offering a more nuanced understanding of how addiction really works.
In an era of high opioid overdose deaths, speed is crucial. The next step in research is clinical testing in humans, particularly those struggling with relapse. If addiction is learned through memory, maybe it can be unlearned with the right tools.
While these studies do not directly address broader environmental triggers beyond withdrawal, they indicate that isradipine may influence the neurological underpinnings of addiction by reducing stress-related symptoms. Further research would be needed to fully understand its impact on environmental triggers of addiction.
Isradipine works by blocking L-type calcium channels, which are found in both the heart and the brain. Its ability to erase memories associated with drug use could potentially be used for human trials faster than developing a new compound. This research underscores the importance of thinking outside the box and embracing a more nuanced understanding of how addiction really works.
In light of the study's findings, it could be advantageous to explore health-and-wellness therapies and treatments that promote brain plasticity, such as the drug isradipine, in mental-health contexts to reshape memories and emotional processing related to addiction recovery. Furthermore, the discovery that isradipine could potentially expedite human trials due to its existing use in treating high blood pressure opens up opportunities for science to revolutionize health-and-wellness industries and approaches towards mental health.
