‘Working is about to get a lot easier’: Scientists discover a protein in coffee that has effects similar to morphine

It’s nice to see scientists finally applying their smarts to something useful. Like, how to genetically modify coffee to make it even more awesome:

https://twitter.com/SEDinehart4/status/559554779710386176

https://twitter.com/tstevensradio/status/559497498885369857

This might just change the #coffee game forever: http://t.co/L55YS8NWWQ pic.twitter.com/aUsVpIMbrw

— news.com.au (@newscomauHQ) January 26, 2015

More from the AFP. Could this really be true?

Brazilian scientists have discovered a protein in coffee that has effects similar to pain reliever morphine, researchers at the state University of Brasilia (UnB) and state-owned Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation Embrapa said Saturday.

Embrapa said its genetics and biotech division, teaming up with UnB scientists, had discovered “previously unknown protein fragments” with morphine-like effects in that they possess “analgesic and mildly tranquilizing” qualities.

But as satisfying as a double-morphine Starbucks beverage sounds…

Brazil Finds Coffee Protein with Morphine Effect . . . I'll have Double Morph with LowFat and a Shot of Espresso . . http://t.co/DBOJdQXDbz

— Annietiques? (@Annietiques) January 25, 2015

…we won’t get our hopes up.

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