Scientists Invent Device to Combat Drug Addiction

In the United States, trials have successfully concluded for a device that eases the symptoms of opioid withdrawal, and its use has been approved in medical practice.

The device was initially developed to help manage chronic and acute pain, but leading American experts found an even better use for it. The NSS-2 Bridge device essentially “switches off” parts of the brain that signal pain, helping patients overcome addiction.

On November 15, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the legalization of the device, called the Neuro-Stim System Bridge (NSS-2 Bridge). Its main purpose is to relieve opioid withdrawal symptoms and reduce the painful effects of addiction. This is the first device of its kind to receive government approval.

The NSS-2 Bridge is quite simple. It is small and easily fits behind the ear. The device contains a chip that delivers controlled electrical impulses to stimulate four cranial nerves in the area of the brain responsible for processing pain signals.

The device will be sold by Innovative Health Solutions, a company based in Indiana, USA. In 2014, the NSS-2 Bridge was already being promoted as a solution for chronic and acute pain. However, according to FDA recommendations, it can now be used in other areas where such technologies were previously uncommon. Patients can only receive the NSS-2 Bridge with a doctor’s recommendation. It is expected to be quite expensive, especially considering previous versions cost between $600 and $800.

However, it may be too early to call the NSS-2 Bridge revolutionary. The FDA approved the device after reviewing a study involving 73 patients suffering from physical drug dependence. The experiment showed that 64 out of 73 participants (or 88%) successfully stopped using opioids after wearing the device for five days. The effectiveness is clear, but the number of participants could have been higher.