Co-Morbidity and Self Medication in Schizophrenia: Involvement of Endogenous Morphine Signaling Mechanisms

Abstract

For over 30 years, empirical studies have demonstrated expression of chemically authentic morphine by diverse animal tissues and organs systems. De novo biosynthesis of endogenous morphine by animal cells displays striking similarities to the multi-enzyme mediated biosynthetic pathway previously characterized in great biochemical and molecular detail in opium poppy (Papaver somniferum).

Keywords

• Schizophrenia
• comorbidity
• self-medication
• endogenous morphine
• dopamine
• catecholamines
• L-DOPA
• tetrahydropapaveroline (THP)
• CNS
• De novo biosynthesis