Research Spotlights

Explore the projects helping to make a difference in the opioid crisis.

woman sitting in a chair looking at a laptop and wearing headphones

Finding New Options for Sickle Cell Disease Pain

New treatment options on the horizon for pain associated with sickle cell disease

Published: January 26, 2022

Topics: Pragmatic and Implementation Studies for the Management of Pain to Reduce Opioid Prescribing (PRISM), Translating Discoveries into Effective Devices to Treat Pain

3D image of a “living circuit” in which DRG cells form long extensions toward SCDH cells.

A Living Pain Circuit

Tissue chip-based model screens potential pain medications faster

Published: December 10, 2021

Topics: Translational Research to Advance Testing of Novel Drugs and Human Cell-Based Screening Platforms to Treat Pain and Opioid Use Disorder

Can Technology Help People Keep Taking Buprenorphine?

New personalized text-messaging app may make it easier for people with opioid use disorder to continue buprenorphine treatment

Published: November 22, 2021

Topics: Behavioral Research to Improve Medication-Based Treatment

man lying in bed unable to sleep with his clock in the foreground

What’s Sleep Got to Do With It?

HEAL-funded researchers are investigating the role of sleep deficiency in opioid use disorder and relapse risk

Published: October 28, 2021

Topics: Sleep Dysfunction as a Core Feature of Opioid Use Disorder and Recovery

Can CBD Treat Opioid Use Disorder?

Research strategy targets craving to treat addiction

Published: October 8, 2021

Topics: Focusing Medication Development to Prevent and Treat Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose

A healthcare provider talks with a young adult patient

Taking Suicide Prevention into Primary Care Settings

HEAL-funded researchers develop tools for primary care providers to identify and help patients at risk of suicide

Published: September 28, 2021

Topics: Optimizing Care for People with Opioid Use Disorder and Mental Health Conditions

Living in Recovery: What Works?

NIH HEAL Initiative research aims to help people stay in recovery long-term

Published: September 28, 2021

Topics: Recovery Research Networks

The Emergency Department: Time and Place to Treat

Connecting people with opioid use disorder with treatment

Published: August 30, 2021

Topics: Enhancing the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network to Address Opioids

collage pictures of HEAL early career investigators

Why They HEAL

Introducing early career investigators involved in the NIH HEAL Initiative

Published: September 14, 2021

Topics:

Woman and healthcare provider during a telehealth visit

Telemedicine: Progress Made During Pandemic Offers Chance for Widespread Adoption

Published: August 9, 2021

Topics: Pain Management Effectiveness Research Network (ERN), Preventing Opioid Use Disorder

a hand turning over wooden blocks that spell out the words stigma

Reframing Shame

Everyone wins when we dismantle stigma

Published: August 2, 2021

Topics: Stigma in Pain Management and Opioid Use Disorder

woman lying on her side while a health care provider does physical therapy on her lower back

Can Treating Pain and Mood Together Improve Outcomes for People With Chronic Low Back Pain?

HEAL researchers combine antidepressants and physical therapy

Published: July 6, 2021

Topics: Back Pain Consortium Research Program

A New Way to Look at the Infant Brain

HEAL-funded researchers develop an MRI-compatible crib

Published: June 9, 2021

Topics: HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study

What Is HEAL Doing to Improve Pain Management?

Published: June 1, 2021

Topics:

healthcare provider looking at electronic health records

Electronic Health Record Systems Let Patients Choose Complementary and Integrative Pain Treatments

Published: June 4, 2021

Topics: Pragmatic and Implementation Studies for the Management of Pain to Reduce Opioid Prescribing (PRISM)

women experiencing chronic pain laying on couch

Protein Engineering for Chronic Pain

Turning tarantula venom into a non-opioid treatment for pain

Published: May 7, 2021

Topics: Development and Optimization of Non-Addictive Therapies to Treat Pain

spark medical device with tablet screen showing drawing of each and 30% status

Novel Technologies for Infants With Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome

Published: May 7, 2021

Topics: Small Business Programs

PlaySmart

HEAL-funded research team is using the power of play to prevent opioid misuse in youth

Published: March 9, 2021

Topics: Preventing Opioid Use Disorder

Person stretching and grabbing their feet

Phone-Based Pain Management Could be a Lifeline for Low-Income Patients

Helping vulnerable populations acquire treatment for low back pain

Published: February 23, 2021

Topics: Pragmatic and Implementation Studies for the Management of Pain to Reduce Opioid Prescribing (PRISM)

dental tools, pills, and a glass of water

Sealing the Deal

Using bone glue to treat pain from wisdom-tooth extractions

Published: February 9, 2021

Topics: Small Business Programs

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