Summary of Reddit Comments on "Analgesic"

Analgesic Options: Opioids

Pro: Effective for various types of severe pain, inducing euphoria. Good for most forms of pain.
Con: Addictive, potential for overdose, significant side effects.

Analgesic Options: Non-Opioids

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Pro: Mild side effects, effective for pain.
Con: Toxic in large doses, limiting use for severe pain.

Ibuprofen/Aspirin/Naproxen

Pro: Works by inhibiting COX proteins, effective for muscle aches, fevers.
Con: Less effective for severe or traumatic pain.

Cocaine/Lidocaine

Pro: Local anesthetic, effective for short-term relief.
Con: Not suitable for frequent or high doses, may cause numbing effects.

Cannabis

Pro: Can relieve pain, induce euphoria, help in opioid withdrawal.
Con: Does not replace Opioids, effect is different.

Dextromethorphan

Pro: Can help with pain at high doses.
Con: Can induce dissociation, disorientation, hallucination, addictive with long-term use.

Overall: Opioids remain effective due to their efficacy, but ongoing research is exploring safer alternatives.

Challenges in Discovering New Analgesics

Discovery of new pain-killing compounds is complex.
Side effects of new drugs might be worse than Opioids.
Pain perception is intricate and targeting new pathways is challenging.
Proliferation of non-opioid drugs focused on specific forms of pain, limited general replacements for Opioids.

Interest in Alternative Sources for Analgesia

Interest in Ayahuasca components for analgesic properties without psychedelic effects.
Potential of Harmine alkaloid found in various plants for various medicinal benefits.
Research involving publicly funded moon-shot initiatives for rapid discovery of new pain killers.

This summary outlines the various types of analgesics, their pros and cons, challenges in discovering new options, alternative sources being explored, and the interest in large-scale initiatives for new pain killer research.