Fentanyl binding to mu-opioid receptor, illustration
Illustration of fentanyl molecules (red) binding to the mu-opioid receptor (blue) in a cell membrane. Opioid receptors are found on nerve cells. When pain is detected by the body, endorphins are released and attach to the receptors, starting a reaction that modulates pain perception. Opioid drugs such as fentanyl mimic endorphins., by JUAN GAERTNER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
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