Essay on Morphine - 982 Words

Morphine is a highly addictive opiate psychoactive painkiller. It is often used before or after surgery to alleviate severe pain. Morphine acts by attaching to specific proteins called opioid receptors, which are found in the brain, spinal cord, and gastrointestinal tract. The drug was originally derived from the poppy seed plant before it was chemically enhanced and manufactured. Starting off, the drug was used to cure alcoholism and certain types of addictions. This didn’t last very long considering morphine was found to be much more addictive than alcohol. In the early 1900s, morphine was identified as a controlled substance under the Harrison Act. The Harrison Act was put in place to control morphine by making it only legal for those†¦show more content†¦Dosages of the drug vary from one extreme to another based upon the patients needs. Multiple effects can be observed from morphine, depending upon the dosage. Morphine can also produce drowsiness, cause constipat ion, and, depending upon the amount taken, depress breathing. Psychological effects include euphoria--an enriched sense of well-being and living--and disconnectedness. Disconnectedness normally makes a person feel as though they are one isolated being even when amongst a group of people. Physiological effects are also present, and include a low heart rate, and reduced reflexes. Low heart rate is probably one of the biggest factors for certain patients with diseases that already affect their blood pressure. These patients are faced with the decision of pain management with morphine and abnormally low blood pressure. Because morphine is basically the grandfather to all opiate-based drugs, recreational use is common and continual. The drug desensitizes one to their surroundings and their mind, many have explained this trip to be a body high. The consciousness is completely hampered and can make thoughts seem spurred. Eventually it allows one to completely numb themselves to whatever pa in and sad feelings they are feeling. I believe this is one of the main reasons this drug is abused as it is. Abuse of morphine can occur in several different ways, for instance a patient could overdoseShow MoreRelatedThe Chemical Structure of Morphine1016 Words   |  5 PagesMorphine It is the most important pharmacologically active constituent of opium, the resin copied from the dried juice of the opium poppy. It was first established into clinical practice more than 200 years ago. It is the prototype opioid drug, whose analgesic and rewarding effects are mediated by activating opioid receptors which are found mainly within the central nervous system (CNS). Morphine continues the strong opioid of choice for moderate to severe cancer pain and it is on the World HealthRead MoreMorphine : Drugs And Drugs1476 Words   |  6 PagesVenecia Venegas Coach Matt Health 4 May 2015 Morphine Introduction Morphine is one of the most effective drug used to relive severe pain. It is the main psychoactive chemical in opium. Like other opioids, such as oxycodone and heroin, morphine acts directly on the central nervous system to relieve pain. Raw morphine is a highly addictive substance, both psychologically and physically. Morphine addiction, tolerance and psychological dependence develop rapidly, although physiological dependence mayRead MoreDrugs, Morphine, And Vicodin2297 Words   |  10 PagesCodeine, morphine, and vicodin are some prescription drugs that one may hear of for treating pain. What some people do not know is that in the early 20th century, these drugs were very harmful because they were being made into others much worse. Many of these drugs come from the same types of places and plants and are also made in a similar way. Cocaine, morphine, and heroin started to be produced just as often as the first opioid based prescription drugs and the only difference is that these w ereRead MoreMorphine Abuse And Addiction Treatment1757 Words   |  8 PagesAbstract Morphine abuse and addiction treatment is a concern for involved with drug monitoring, policy makers, law enforcement officials and many more. Morpheus McGee is a fictional character for the sole purpose of demonstrating the signs and treatment of narcotic opioid abuse and addiction. The narcotic being abuse is a pain reliever known as morphine. Morphine traces its pharmaceutical origins back to the opium poppy, flowering plants native to southwestern Asia. Narcotic is a term that has beenRead MoreMorphine And Its Effect On Human Body1714 Words   |  7 PagesMorphine is a drug commonly used in the medical industry. It relieves pain, but it is also addictive. In addition to relieving pain, morphine can induce a feeling of euphoria, produce sleepiness, and impair cognition (Busse, 2006). Endorphins occur naturally in the human body and modify communication in the brain. Endorphins act as the body’s natural painkiller and also produce the effects of sleepiness and sense of well -being without the additional side effect of impaired cognition (Advameg, IncRead MoreThe Socially Acceptable History of Morphine437 Words   |  2 PagesOpium, Morphine, and Heroin have been around for centuries. Currently they are all seen as nuisances to society, and are highly addictive, dirty drugs. But, in the late 19th century these pests were viewed in quiet a different light. They were praised for their healing powers, and even referred to as â€Å"GOM† or â€Å"Gods own medicine†. In the 19th century, the idea of a drug was fresh, and peoples’ appetites were ravenous. Deemed to be socially acceptable, they hit America fast, and would unknowinglyRead More Morphine: Preventative Pain Control Essay2938 Words   |  12 PagesMorphine: Preventative Pain Control I. Introduction Narcotic analgesics, especially morphine are underused for pain control with in the medical field. This underuse is because medical professionals, including doctors, fear patient addiction, side effects and possible lose of their licenses. These fears deny adequate healing and a better quality of life to those who would benefit from a more effective use of these drugs, as done in hospice care. II. PAIN: Pain not only involves theRead MoreKhat: Morphine and National Drug Intelligence1963 Words   |  8 PagesKhat/Qat Drug Catha edulis or Khat (Qat) is a natural drug derived from the Celastrus edulis plant which is a shrub that can grow to the size of a tree and could reach a height of about 10 to 20 feet with leaves resembling those of basil leaves. Its content makes it a compound similar to that of Amphetamines that produce excitation, banish sleep and promote communication. According to streetdrugs.org (2003), when used in moderation, khat is used as away to alleviate fatigue and to reduce appetiteRead MoreFentanyl: It ´s Advantages and Disadvantages as a Morphine Drug1147 Words   |  5 Pagesprimary function in managing malignant and non-malignant contractible pain, similar to morphine however it is more potent. This is because fentanyl has an octanol-water partition of 9550 compared to morphine, which has 6. This effectively demonstrates that fentanyl is highly lipid soluble, crossing the blood brain barrier more rapidly. Hence it has a quicker reaction time but at a shorter duration comp ared to morphine. It is commonly used to treat patients with severe pain or patients experiencing painRead MoreThe Dependent Variable Is The Amount Of Morphine Newborns1592 Words   |  7 PagesThe dependent variable is the amount of morphine newborns require in their treatment of NAS. The independent variable is the opioid drug, buprenorphine or methadone. Extraneous variables in this study could include illicit drug use, nicotine ingestion, depression, exposure to sexual victimization, physical violence, inadequate nutrition on mother, or any other stressors the mother has that could potentially stress the fetus in turn causing different effects on the newborn and NAS. Another extraneous