Abstract: In some aspects, the present disclosure provides compounds of the formula: wherein the variables are as defined herein. In some embodiments, these compounds may be used to reduce the pain of a patient. These compounds may be used in pain relief and show an improved pharmaceutical profile relative to other commonly used opiates and opioid derivatives.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition is provided which includes a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and a pharmaceutically and physically acceptable amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of Chemical Formulas I-IV as described herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Also provided are methods of increasing a level of a defined neurotrophic peptide in an organism or tissue comprising the administration of a pharmaceutically and physically acceptable amount of one or more of the compositions described above, and a method for treating a neurodegenerative disease in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of claim 1.