According to a study published in the journal Neuron, there may be a novel way to treat the chronic pain linked to gastrointestinal illnesses like irritable bowel syndrome by targeting a receptor involved in our touch and temperature sensation.

The existence of Piezo2, which is known to be in charge of perceiving light touch on human skin, was discovered by a team who was researching the colon. The researchers stated that a lack of knowledge regarding how sensory nerves transmit pain sensations from the stomach to the brain had hampered the development of gut-specific pain treatments.

They claimed that while other ion channels were previously known to be present on "pain-sensing" neurons that transmit pain information from the gut to the brain, the current study has now identified a significant ion channel, specifically Piezo2, which reacts to mechanical stimulation to produce pain.

As this receptor is also found in the gut, experts believe that by targeting these channels specifically, internal organ pain could be permanently controlled without frequent opiate painkiller use.

(Source: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20221223/Targeting-Piezo2-could-provide-new-avenue-for-treating-chronic-pain-related-to-gastrointestinal-disorders.aspx)