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Opium is a narcotic drug naturally obtained from plant sources. It causes euphoria in users and relieves pain. Opioids are very addictive in nature. They are prescribed by doctors for a number of pain treatments. Constant use can lead to opioid addiction. After extended use, the user experiences severe withdrawal symptoms on stopping their use.
| Table of Content |
Key Terms: Opioids, Alkaloids, Narcotic, Drugs, Pain, Receptors, Gastrointestinal tract, Central nervous system, Peripheral nervous system, Analgesics, Painkillers
Read More: Adolescence and Drug Abuse
Opioids
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Opioids are defined as compounds that have the capability to bind to the opioid receptors which are present in the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. They are medically used as analgesics and painkillers.
Opioid Structure
These are strong narcotic drugs causing euphoria in the substance abuser. They are very addictive just like cannabinoids. Constant use can lead to opioid addiction. After extended use, the user experiences severe withdrawal symptoms on stopping their use.
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Opium Alkaloids
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Opium alkaloids are the most active derivatives of opium. There are two types of opium alkaloids based on their action and chemical structure. One type contains drugs that influence the central nervous systems in humans. They are used as narcotics and cause addiction on continuous use. Examples are Codeine, Thebaine, Morphine, etc. Another type contains mild relaxing drugs. They prevent involuntary movements of the muscles. Examples are Noscapine, Papaverine, etc.
Morphine contains 10% w/w raw opium.
Opium
Woking of Opioids
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The human nervous system has several opioid receptors. Opioids bind with these opioid receptors to give the desired effect. Once opioids bind with the opioid receptors they block neurotransmissions. The neuron ending thus cannot alert the next neuron with the signals that transmit pain. Thus, opioids work to block the pain signals that are sent to different parts of the body by the brain through neurons.
Working of Opium
The human nervous system contains three types of opioid receptors viz. Mu, Kappa, and Delta. Mu receptors are responsible for blocking the pain signals and giving pleasurable effects of opioids.
Psychological Actions of Opioids
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When a person consumes opioids they can experience relief in pain, euphoria, drowsiness, relaxation, mild to complete sedation, anxiety, etc. Continuous use of opioids leads to addiction in the user. Withdrawal from them becomes very difficult and dangerous as they cause severe withdrawal symptoms.
Effects of Opioids
Opioids do not bind with a single part of the nervous system. They can bind at different positions delivering different effects. When opioids bind with the limbic system they deliver pleasure and happiness to the user. The limbic system is responsible for controlling emotions. When opioids bind with the brain stem they relieve pain and cause slow breathing. When opioids bind with the spinal cord they can lessen even chronic pain in cancer patients.
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Source of Opioids
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Opioids are naturally available in certain plants and can also be synthesised in a laboratory. The most prominent plant source of opium is the plant poppy, scientifically known as papaver somniferum.
Papaver somniferum
When the petals of the poppy flower wilt completely, its seeds are exposed. These seeds are slit vertically so that the gummy opium inside them can be extracted. The latex coming out of poppy seeds is milky in colour. When it is exposed to the air its colour changes from milky to brown. This brown gum-like substance is called raw opium. Raw opium is powdered, made into pellets, cakes, etc. to be sold.
Kratom and Salvia are the other two plants that can give natural opium.
Read Also: Metabolites
Examples of Opioids
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Some of the commonly prescribed opioids are:
- Heroin
- Fentanyl
- Morphine
- Oxycodone
- Codeine
- Hydrocodone
Things to Remember
- Opioids are defined as compounds that have the capability to bind to the opioid receptors which are present in the gastrointestinal tract and the central and peripheral nervous system.
- Opium alkaloids are the active derivatives of opium that cause neurological effects.
- Opioids bind with the opioid receptors in the central nervous system to relieve pain, cough, cause euphoria, and much more.
- Opium can be naturally obtained from poppy seeds, kratom, and salvia.
- Common opioids are heroin, fentanyl, morphine, etc.
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Sample Questions
Ques. What are the disadvantages of Opium? [2 Marks]
Ans. The disadvantages of opium are:
- Decreased sexual stamina
- Reduces chances of pregnancy
- Alters menstruation and menstrual bleeding
- Causes severe effects in pregnant women and women that have just given birth.
Ques. What are the effects of opioids on the human body? [2 Marks]
Ans. Opioids have a number of effects on the human body. They differ from person to person. Effects also depend on which opioid is consumed and at what frequency. Some of the common effects of opioids on the human body are suppression of pain, alleviation of anxiety, drowsiness, relaxation, euphoria, sedation, shallowing of breathing, reduction in a heartbeat, etc.
Ques. How is Opium extracted? [2 Marks]
Ans. Opium is extracted from the seeds of the poppy plant. When the petals of a poppy flower wilt completely the seeds can be accessed. A vertical incision is made on these poppy seeds. A milky latex comes out of the incision that turns brown in colour due to exposure to air. This brown substance has a gum-like consistency. This is raw opium.
Ques. What are opioids? Give examples of opioids. [2 Marks]
Ans. Opioids are defined as compounds that have the capability to bind to the opioid receptors which are present in the gastrointestinal tract and the central and peripheral nervous system. Examples of opioids are heroin, fentanyl, morphine, oxycodone, codeine, hydrocodone, etc.
Ques. Explain the working of opioids. [2 Marks]
Ans. Opioids bind with the opioid receptors present in the central nervous system. When this binding occurs it nullifies the capability of the neurons to transmit pain signals through the neurotransmitters. Thus the pain signals do not reach the affected body parts. This causes relief in pain until the effect of opioids lasts.
Ques. Can the effects of opioids be reversed? How? [2 Marks]
Ans. Opioids can cause severe effects of taking in large amounts. Sometimes it can cause overdose and put the user in a shock. Overuse of Opioids can even lead to death. In such extreme circumstances, it becomes vital to reverse the effects of opioids. Opioid antagonists can be used to reverse the effects of opioids. Naloxone is a commonly used opioid antagonist.
Ques. What are the physiological effects of opium? [2 Marks]
Ans. Opium binds with the opinion receptors present at several sections of the central nervous system. The opioids that bind to the limbic system give pleasure. The ones that bind with the brain stem relieve pain. And the ones that bind with the spinal cord substantially decrease chronic pain.
Ques. What drugs other than opioids can relieve pain? [2 Marks]
Ans. Analgesics are the drugs that are used to relieve pain. Opioids are a type of analgesic. Other than Opioids there are several painkillers that serve the purpose. There are also non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that can relieve pain. Some of the common painkillers are Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Ketoprofen, Naproxen, Aspirin, etc.
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