Morphine
Morphine (trade names MS Contin, MSIR, Avinza, Kadian, Oramorph, Roxanol) is a potent opiate analgesic psychoactive drug and is considered to be the prototypical opioid. In clinical medicine, morphine is regarded as the gold standard, or benchmark, of analgesics used to relieve severe or agonizing pain and suffering. Like other opioids, e.g. oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet, Percodan), hydromorphone (Dilaudid, Palladone), and diacetylmorphine (heroin), morphine acts directly on the central nervous system to relieve pain. Morphine has a high potential for addiction; tolerance and both physical and psychological dependence develop rapidly, although psychological dependence tends to happen more rapidly than physical dependence.
Contents |
[edit] Brief History
Through the course of human history, there have been countless powerful natural and artificial drugs, but none parallel opium in its mythical status, range of use, and longevity of interest.
It has been used in ancient history in all parts of the globe, reaching prominence in Egypt, Greece, Rome and indeed many others.
Opium had undergone many tranfsormations until 1803, when German scientist Friedrich Serturner isolated one of the active ingredient in opium, morphine. The discovery was lauded by physicians because it enhanced their ability to control the drug's effects for treating illness. By 1827, Germany's E. Merck & Company was manufacturing morphine commercially for medical use.In 1843, a new technique for morphine delivery was invented, whereby morphine was injected directly nto the bloodstream with a syringe, tripling its potency. Finally, in 1874, British scientist C. R. Wright synthesized heroin (also known as diacetylmorphine) by boiling morphine with acetic acid.
In the United states, drug control dates back to the 1840s, in that time, anyone could have produced and sold drugs to anyone without the fear of intervention from the federal government or any other authoritative figure.
Indeed, the world we live in today is very different, because through this time, drug policies, agencies, laws, regulations, and restrictions have ceaselessly grown and evolved.
Although America's drug culture has shifted and adjusted itself over time when, for example, Alcohol was prominent in the 1920s and psychedelics in the 1960s, opium and its derivatives have always been a constant menace.
One of the most important laws that deal with drug related issues has been the Controlled Substances Act of 1971 where drugs were placed in 'schedules' based on their danger to health, abuse potential, and medical uses.
Opium and its derivatives have been placed in 'Schedule II' ever since.
[edit] General abuse info
Morphine's name comes from Morpheus, the Greek god of sleep. Ergo, it makes some good sleep. Nice euphoria if taken the right way.
[edit] Routes of administration
The most efficient ways of taking morphine are intravenously and plugging. Snorting and smoking are useless. Eating is so-so.
Smoking generally destroy the feel-good chemicals derived from the poppy plant, that's why it is vaporized rather than smoked.
Traditionally, opium pipes were used before the discovery of IV and other administration routes.
They are about 20 inches long, and the quality of the wood displayed the social status/wealth of the person; for example, poor people would have pipes made from Bamboo, while the richer would have pipes made from Ebony.
The hollow pipe is sealed on one end and has an opening on the other, through which the user takes in the smoke.
In addition to the pipe, serious smokers require a host of additional materials used to prepare and smoke opium. These include a container to hold the opium, a needle to clear the bowl opening, a lamp to ignite the opium, and a tray to hold all of the supplies.
For IV, find a good vein, rub it with cotton dipped in alcohol, and hit; sterilizing your material is very important for your health and safety.
[edit] Laws
In the United Kingdom, morphine is listed as a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and a Schedule 2 Controlled Drug under The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001.
In the United States, morphine is classified as a Schedule II drug under the Controlled Substances Act.
In Canada, morphine is classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
In Australia, morphine is classified as a Schedule 8 drug under the variously titled State and Territory Poisons Acts.
In the Netherlands, morphine is classified as a List 1 drug under the Opium Law.
In Japan, morphine is classified as a narcotic under the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act.
Internationally, morphine is a Schedule I drug under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.
[edit] Typical Effects
Positive
- Euphoria
- Sedation/nodding
- Reduction of anxiety
- Analgesia
Neutral
- Constricted pupils
- Mild difficulty focusing eyes
- Skin flushing
- Itching
Negative
- Constipation
- Dizziness at higher doses or when mixed with other drugs
- Nausea at higher doses or when mixed
- Shortness of breath, again, at higher doses or when mixed
- Shortened temper and increased agitation at relatively small things
- Weak alcohol-esque hangover in sensitive individuals
- Addictive
