Opiate receptors are parts of our brain and body that attach to opiates, like certain drugs or natural substances. When opiates attach to these receptors, they can relieve pain and produce feelings of pleasure and relaxation. Full definition
Given via injection or nasal spray, naloxone binds powerfully with opiate receptors in the brain, repelling the drugs the user has taken and sending him or her into an instant and painful withdrawal. (newscientist.com)
Uhl and crew then produced mice that had half the normal number of opiate receptors and as a result, experienced greater discomfort when exposed to a standard mildly painful stimulus. (scientificamerican.com)
PET scans have demonstrated that some individuals have twice as many mu opiate receptors in certain brain regions as others. (scientificamerican.com)