This Special Issue has been organized to showcase the research presented at the International Narcotics Research Conference (INRC) most recently held in Denver, USA. The INRC annual meeting brings together leading scientists from around the globe to share the latest findings and foster collaborations in the field of narcotics research, with a particular emphasis on opioids and related systems.

The 2026 conference began with a keynote lecture by Dr. Gregory Scherrer, who explored the organization of the endogenous opioid system across circuits and cell types, setting the stage for a meeting focused on both fundamental insight and therapeutic innovation. We were particularly excited to feature our elected Founder Lecture by Dr. Jakie McGinty, reflecting on decades of opioid peptide research, and our Young Investigator Lecture by Dr. Joao De Aquino, highlighting emerging therapeutic strategies at the intersection of pain and addiction.

Sessions examined topics ranging from opioid-evoked neuroplasticity in striatal circuits to sleep dysfunction in opioid use disorder, and from emerging treatments for overdose to the role of ion channels in opioid signaling. This year’s program also highlighted pressing and evolving challenges in the field, including translational efforts to address substances such as xylazine, high-throughput approaches for discovering novel analgesics, and new methodologies for quantifying pain and opioid-induced analgesia. Dedicated symposia explored how opioid signaling shapes reward, aversion, and withdrawal, as well as innovative approaches to studying opioid systems in stress, chronic pain, and substance use disorders.

Papers submitted to this Special Issue should be based on work presented at the conference and/or authored by INRC 2026 attendees. The goal of this issue is to capture the scientific insights and collaborative energy of the meeting, and to disseminate them widely to advance the field.

The Special Issues welcomes submissions across a range of article types, including Original Research, Review, Mini Review, Brief Research Report, Commentary, and Editorial. For detailed descriptions of each article type, please click here.

Please note that the advertised Manuscript Submission deadline is flexible. If you require an extension, do not hesitate to contact us. For any questions, please reach out to us at the Publishing Office

Articles

Distinct contributions of mu opioid and CB2 cannabinoid receptors to neuroimmune and behavioral responses

Advances in Drug and Alcohol Research