Long access heroin self-administration significantly alters gut microbiome composition and structure

Chronic opiate use disorder is associated with alterations in gastrointestinal (GI) function and these disruptions can be associated with changes in the gut microbiome. However, it is not known if long-access opiate self-administration has effects on the gut microbiome. This study evaluated whether heroin self-administration affected the gut microbiome status through 16S rRNA gene sequencing of fecal samples collected before onset of heroin self-administration, at the completion of long-term self-administration, and after post-extinction reinstatement.