SST and respiratory depression: Somatostatin-expressing cells are critical for normal breathing (Tan et al., 2008; Cui et al., 2016; de Sousa Abreu et al., 2022) and are found within brainstem respiratory regions shown to contribute to respiratory depression by opioids (Helke, 1984; Johansson et al., 1984; Kalia et al., 1984; De León et al., 1992; Stornetta et al., 2003; Bou Farah et al., 2016; de Sousa Abreu et al., 2022).