Mercola Natural Health Blog

Scientists at the University of North Carolina Medical School may have discovered a new painkiller that is eight times stronger than morphine.

The researchers have identified a particular protein called prostatic acid phosphatase or PAP, which works by converting nerve chemicals which cause pain into ones which suppress it.

PAP has been used for almost 50 years to identify sensitive nerve cells and to mark prostate tumors that have spread throughout the body.

When nerve cells are in distress, they release a chemical known as adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which creates the sensation of pain. PAP works by converting the ATP into adenosine, which suppresses pain.

Aside from being eight times stronger than morphine, one injection of PAP also lasts 14 times longer, or almost three days.

Research head Dr. Mark Zylka believes that PAP has the potential to be a groundbreaking treatment for pain. Zylka’s team plans to conduct more research so they can develop an easy-to-use PAP pill.

Joseph Mercola, an osteopathic physician and natural health practitioner, makes no secret of the fact that he is no fan of most over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs but he acknowledges that there are times when you really can’t avoid taking medication, like analgesics and anesthetics.

Dr. Mercola shares that the last time he had surgery was when he received treatment for an ingrown nail, and he couldn’t imagine doing the procedure without an anesthetic.

The problem with painkillers like morphine is that they are easily abused. The side effects of pain medications include:

And, in the case of Fentora, the main side effect is death! And what does your doctor do about these side effects? He simply gives you more drugs to counteract the side effects of the original drugs he prescribed - and the vicious cycle goes on.

If you decide to take "milder" painkillers, you’re still not off the hook. Published studies have exposed the dangers of over-the-counter medications, including painkillers such as aspirin. Taking OTC painkillers for six months or more may even double your chances of dying from a stroke or heart attack.

Dr. Mercola isn't downplaying the discovery of PAP. He's just saying that the sensible thing to do is to wait for more studies and research before hailing PAP as a super painkiller. He points out that adenosine is known to cause side effects such as facial flushing, lightheadedness, excessive sweating, nausea, and asystole, or a brief heart stoppage. 

These effects usually do not  last, but why should you inject any chemical into your body if there are safer ways to be pain-free?

There are a number of methods, such as yoga and acupuncture, that can help you fight pain. Just holding hands can even result in amazing pain relief without any drugs. Your emotions can also have a powerful effect on pain.

The tool that has worked the best in Mercola's practice in my experience is a type of energy treatment known as The Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). More than 15,000 psychologists are now using EFT as a drug-free approach for all types of pain management. EFT can even be used to treat the side effects associated with conventional drugs.

EFT works by helping resolve underlying, often subconscious negative emotions that may be aggravating your physical pain. You stimulate or tap acupuncture points with your fingertips to re-balance your energy system, which tends to relieve pain.

Dr. Mercola also recommends the following as safe and natural ways to treat pain and inflammation: