doi: 10.3389/fpls.2021.816233 21 JhinganSHarloffHJAbbadiAWelschCBlmelMTasdemirDet al
It functions as a powerful antioxidant, shielding the skin from cell damage
While normal wound healing progresses through controlled inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling, chronic wounds disrupted by bacterial biofilms experience prolonged inflammation, impaired angiogenesis, and delayed tissue restoration

Documented Long-Term Side Effects of Opioids Chronic or recurrent opioid use has been associated with: Central nervous system suppression , affecting alertness, coordination, and mood (35,36) Disrupted gut motility and microbiome balance , contributing to constipation, dysbiosis, and inflammation (38) Hormonal suppression , including reduced testosterone, altered HPA-axis signaling, and downstream endocrine disruption, which can worsen fatigue, depression, and pain perception (34) Impaired immune function , increasing susceptibility to infection (37) Reduced motivation and physical activity , slowing rehabilitation and tissue recovery (35) Why Opioids May Worsen Chronic Pain Over Time Because opioids suppress pain perception without addressing inflammatory, structural, or metabolic drivers, symptoms often return when doses declinefrequently with heightened sensitivity due to opioid-induced hyperalgesia