All these effects are mediated by the interactions of opioids with members of the opioid receptor family. Opioid binding sites were first discovered in mammalian brain (Pert and Snyder 1973 ...

They showed that an experimental opioid, which binds to an unconventional spot in the receptor, suppresses pain in animal models with fewer side effects—most notably those linked to fatal overdoses.

Opioids mimic the body's natural pain relievers, binding to receptor proteins in the brain and sometimes inducing euphoria. National Corporate funding for NOVA is provided by Carlisle Companies.