Casomorphin is a peptide sequence that is found in whey protein called casein, and which can be addictive to humans and cause an opiate effect.

All proteins are chains of amino acids. In the digestive system, proteins are chopped up into small segments of amino acid sequences, called peptides. When casein is broken down by this mechanism, the casomorphin is one of the small sequences produced. This sequence travels to the brain, where it may bind to opiate receptors and cause an effect similar to that produced by endorphins and the other similar peptides.

There are several different casomorphins which are opioid peptides. They are formed during digestion of the casein protein from bovine milk. They are usually broken down into amino acids by digestion enzymes, but in some individuals they are not. They are then accumulated in the body over time and can lead to a peptide poisoning. This is particularly often reported in patients with ADHD, autism and schizophrenia. Withdrawal symptoms are quite common, more so than in the case of gluten peptides (gluten exorphines and gliadorphin).

Some known casomorphins

β-Casomorphin 1-3

• Structure: H-Tyr-Pro-Phe-OH
• Chemical formula: C₂₃H₂₇N₃O₅
• Molecular weight: 425.48 g/mol

β-Casomorphin 1-4

• Structure: H-Tyr-Pro-Phe-Pro-OH
• Chemical formula:
• Molecular weight: 522.61 g/mol

β-Casomorphin 1-4, amide

• Structure: H-Tyr-Pro-Phe-Pro-NH₂
• Chemical formula: C₂₈H₃₉N₅O₇
• Molecular weight: 557.64 g/mol

β-Casomorphin 5

• Structure: H-Tyr-Pro-Phe-Pro-Gly-OH
• Chemical formula: C₃₀H₃₇N₅O₇
• Molecular weight: 594.66 g/mol

β-Casomorphin 7

• Structure: H-Tyr-Pro-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro-Ile-OH
• Chemical formula: C₄₁H₅₅N₇O₉
• Molecular weight: 789.9 g/mol

β-Casomorphin 8

• Structure: H-Tyr-Pro-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro-Ile-Pro-OH
• Chemical formula: C₄₆H₆₂N₈O₁₀
• Molecular weight: 887.00 g/mol

Opioids

Casomorfin | Casomorphin