Let’s begin with the scientific evidence that there is an association between opioids and DNA methylation. If two things are scientifically associated, it just means that they are seen in the same person. There is no proof of a disease state. There is no proof of causation. It simply means that the two entities – methylation and exposure to the opioids – are seen in the same person. And the oldest evidence that we have regarding opioids and DNA methylation is it is this type of evidence of an association.
An association between the opioids and DNA methylation
We first turn to a study by Nielsen et al (2008). There is no need to go too deeply into the study. The methylation and exposure to the opioids are seen in the same person. And the oldest evidence that we have regarding opioids and DNA methylation is it is this type of evidence of an association. But it is more than enough evidence to have prompted an action from the FDA/CDC/opioid manufacturers/opioid distributors.
An association between the opioids and DNA methylation
The second study that we present and for scientific evidence that the opioid cause a poisoning to your body known as methylation is from 2011 and by Chorbov et al. Again, do not make this more difficult than it needs to be.. The Chorbov et al (2011) study is very similar to the study by Nielsen at all (2008). In fact, one could argue that Chorbov et al has essentially replicated the Nielsen et al study. And again we see that people who are opioid dependent also show methylation in their DNA. And as we heard from Moshe Szyf article, methylation is a form of toxicity or poisoning to the body.
This concludes the section on an association between opioid and DNA methylation. Next we will look at a correlation between methylation and the symptoms experienced by the individual.