Spice: The Answer to the Opioid Crisis

We all have that one friend who claims that nothing is spicy enough for them. You’ll say “be careful, this chili is really spicy,” and they’ll respond with a smug, “Dude it’s not even spicy.” Spiciness is broken down into units, called Scoville Heat Units (SHU). These units make up an entire scale called the Scoville Scale, which is a measurement of the pungency (“heat”) of spicy foods created by Wilbur Scoville in 1912. The SHU’s are based on the concentration of capsaicinoids within a food. The predominant component in this is capsaicin.

So, the higher the concentration of capsaicinoids, the spicier the food will be. For example, a Bell Pepper is about 0 SHU’s, Jalapenos are about 2,500-8,000 SHU’s, and the feared Carolina Reaper is a whopping 1.4-2.2million SHU’s. Some people are crazy enough to eat the Carolina Reaper, but no one would dare to eat the cactus-like plant, Resin Spurge (Euphorbia resinifera). This bad boy measures in at a fiery 16billion SHU’s. The main ingredient in this plant is an analog to capsaicin called resiniferatoxin (RTX).

So how is this the answer to the opioid crisis? Well I’m glad you asked. What scientists have found is that RTX is a promising painkiller. What opioids do is basically block the signals at the brain level. So in essence, your body feels pain and that signal is sent to your brain. Your brain then recognizes that signal as pain and that’s when you feel the actual physical sensation of pain. What opioids do is basically block that signal from getting “understood” by attaching to specific receptors in your brain. The more frequently you take opioids, the more your brain habituates to those levels and thus the addiction can begin.

RTX will take opioids entirely out of the equation. This is because instead of blocking pain signals at the brain level, RTX will actually stop the pain signal from even occurring. This is done by injecting RTX into an anesthetized patient (as it will cause extreme pain initially) at the location of the pain. What RTX will then do is basically inactivate the nerve channels that signal pain specifically. These channels are called TRPV1 channels (Transient Receptor Cation Channel Subfamily V member 1) and are used for detection/regulation of body temperature and for the sensation of pain (nociception).

After this RTX injection, there will no longer be pain in the affected area for 5-18 months. This has already been shown in testing on dogs with leg pain. So put it this way, instead of taking an addicting pill every day, people with chronic pain would be able to get a shot once every 5-18 months with no fear of addiction. Now that sounds spicy to me.

https://www.wired.com/story/resiniferatoxin/

The Truth about Genetically Modified Foods

When the words “GMO” or Genetically Modified Foods come up in conversation, it is usually followed by a disgusted look coming from the typical “chemophobic” adult. But what they probably don’t know is that many of the foods the average person eats every day are (or contain in some way) genetically modified foods. Many variations of GMO corn crops, soybean, potato, and many others are produced right here in the USA!

GMO foods, whether you know it or not, are everywhere. Food eateries like Buffalo Wild Wings, Apple Bees, Dominos, Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, McDonalds, and Chipotle all give you food that are or contain genetically modified foods, just to name a few of the more popular brands. But what exactly labels a food or crop to be “genetically modified” you might ask? To answer this question, we can go take an in-depth look at the creation of an insect resistant tomato plant. First, a bacterium with the desired insect resistance gene is selected for and the gene is cut out. The gene is then inserted into a vector and copied within the bacteria. Tungsten, or gold particles are then coated with the DNA vectors and loaded onto a Teflon bullet, which is then shot out of a gene gun into the plant cells. These vectors enter the cell and incorporate the gene into the plant genome. The cells are then plated onto a selective antibiotic media, which allow only cells that have incorporated the vector to grow. Once they are transferred onto media containing plant growth factors, eventually grows an insect resistant tomato plant!

Amidst the doubters and those against GMO crops, GMO’s have proven themselves to be very worthwhile and even needed in some situations! For instance – let’s look at an example of a developing nation with a slow economy. Say this developing nation has a hunger problem amongst its citizens, and with a very weak economy, it cannot afford to import foods let alone have their citizens purchase every meal at expensive prices. This developing nation is also in salty coastal wetlands; therefore, it cannot support the growth of needed crops. However, the technology of GMO’s has come to the rescue. With the developing idea and technology of GMO crops, a biotechnology company has genetically modified a rice plant that can thrive in salt water conditions, allowing this nation to provide food for its citizens as it increases its economy!

There are many people who are “on the fence” about genetically modified foods because they claim there is not enough research done on them to know if they are truly safe for people over long periods of time. However, GMO foods are so widely used, and have to go through numerous and very extensive safety checks before they can be passed and allowed to be grown and distributed. The safety checks on these genetically modified crops and the research that is being done as well almost guarantee’s the products safety. Some go as far to say that people who are big advocators for anti-GMO products are spreading lies and instilling chemophobia in anyone who will listen! At the end of the day, it is of a personal decision whether or not you want to consume foods that are genetically modified. But, it is important to know the true facts about GMOs and how GMOs have helped our world increase food production and continue on!

References:

• https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/science/gmfoods/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3791249/
• https://gmo.geneticliteracyproject.org/FAQ/which-genetically-engineered-crops-are-approved-in-the-us/