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| '''Opium''' refers to dried latex obtained from the mature seed capsules of the opium poppy—''Papaver somniferum''. The sap contains at least 25 different alkaloids, including [[morphine]] and [[codeine]], which are common pharmaceuticals and [[opiates]]. Other alkaloids found in the latex are thebaine, papaverine, noscapine, narcotine, and narceine, among others. Opium can be anywhere from 9-18% morphine by weight. | | '''Opium''' refers to dried latex obtained from the seed capsules of the opium poppy ''Papaver somniferum''. Approximately 12 percent of opium is made up of the analgesic alkaloid morphine, which is processed chemically to produce heroin and other semi synthetic opioids. The latex also contains the closely related opiates codeine and thebaine, and non-analgesic alkaloids such as papaverine and noscapine. |
| Traditionally, opium is harvested by making a shallow cut in the mature seed pods of opium poppies (scoring), and allowing the latex to flow out and dry. After it dries, farmers collect this latex and either use it raw (as opium) or refine it to make opiates.
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| The word “opiate”, refers to any one of the 25+ alkaloids naturally found in opium, while an opioid is any compound that has morphine like properties (hits the mu-opioid receptor).
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| ==Sources==
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| The opium poppy, and poppies in general, are very common ornamental plants. Not all poppies contain morphine type compounds. The most common “opium poppy”, ''Papaver somniferum'', contains morphine in every part of the plant, though it’s most concentrated in the seed pods. Some poppies contain more morphine and codeine, while some have much larger seed pods, which allows for more scores, and thus, more opium. Technically, you could extract the opium from dried plant material using water or other solvents, to create a sort of “opium tea”, but opium content in different parts of the plant can very widely, which can and has led to overdoses when used as a tea. It’s for this reason that it’s recommended to only use the dried sap, which is much easier to dose.
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| ==Alkaloid content==
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| Most of the alkaloids present in opium, apart from morphine and codeine, don’t fit into mu-opioid receptors. One of these alkaloids, thebaine, can in high doses, have biological effects comparable to the well known poison, strychnine. These effects, however, are unlikely to cause major harm or fatality from a single dose, and are more of a concern in chronic use. They can, however, lead to various uncomfortable side effects usually not associated with morphine or codiene.
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| ==Subjective effects== | | ==Subjective effects== |
| {{Preamble/SubjectiveEffects}} | | {{Preamble/SubjectiveEffects}} |
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| |{{effects/physical| | | |{{effects/physical| |
| *'''[[Effect::Pain relief]]''' | | *'''[[Effect::Pain relief]]''' |
| *'''[[Effect::Physical euphoria|Euphoria]]''' - In comparison to other [[opioids]], this substance is considered similar in its physical euphoria to [[morphine]] or [[oxycodone]]. The sensation itself can be described as extreme feelings of intense physical comfort, warmth, love and bliss. | | *'''[[Effect::Physical euphoria|Euphoria]]''' - In comparison to other [[opioids]], this particular substance can be considered similar in its physical euphoria when compared with that of [[morphine]] or [[diacetylmorphine]] (heroin) . The sensation itself can be described as extreme feelings of intense physical comfort, warmth, love and bliss. |
| *'''[[Effect::Respiratory depression]]''' - At low to moderate doses, this effect results in the sensation that breath is slowed mildly, but may not cause noticeable impairment. At high doses and overdoses, opioid-induced respiratory depression can result in a shortness of breath, abnormal breathing patterns, semi-consciousness, or unconsciousness. Severe overdoses can result in a coma or death without immediate medical attention. Respiratory depression caused by opium may be slightly more pronounced than with pure morphine due to the presence of other trace compounds. | | *'''[[Effect::Respiratory depression]]''' - At low to moderate doses, this effect results in the sensation that the breath is slowed down mildly to moderately, but does not cause noticeable impairment. At high doses and overdoses, opioid-induced respiratory depression can result in a shortness of breath, abnormal breathing patterns, semi-consciousness, or unconsciousness. Severe overdoses can result in a coma or death without immediate medical attention. |
| *'''[[Effect::Sedation or Stimulation]]''' - Users can experience both stimulation and sedation. The stimulation may come from several different alkaloids, including thebaine | | *'''[[Effect::Sedation or Stimulation]]''' - Stimulating effect of this substance occurs mainly at low to common doses. Opium is known for it stimulating properties the main cause of stimulation is [[thebaine]] and other alcaloids present in the sap the levels of stimulating alcaloids can vary between batches thats why sometimes users get stimulated by opium and sometimes sedated . |
| *'''[[Effect::Constipation]]''' | | *'''[[Effect::Constipation]]''' |
| *'''[[Effect::Cough suppression]]''' | | *'''[[Effect::Cough suppression]]''' |
| *'''[[Effect::Decreased libido]] or [[Effect::Increased libido]]''' - Generally, [[morphine]] is regarded as libido killing, though some users can experience an increase in libido. | | *'''[[Effect::Decreased libido or Increased libido]]''' - Some users can experience an increase in libido while being on opium and some can experience a decrease. |
| *'''[[Effect::Difficulty urinating]]''' | | *'''[[Effect::Difficulty urinating]]''' |
| *'''[[Effect::Itchiness]]''' | | *'''[[Effect::Itchiness]]''' |
| *'''[[Effect::Nausea]]''' | | *'''[[Effect::Nausea]]''' |
| Depending on method of ingestion, nausea may more pronounced than with an equivalent dose of pure [[morphine]], simply due to terpenoids, sapanoids, and other phytochemicals present in the sap.
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| *'''[[Effect::Pupil constriction]]''' | | *'''[[Effect::Pupil constriction]]''' |
| *'''[[Effect::Stomach cramps]]''' | | *'''[[Effect::Stomach cramps]]''' |
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| }} | | }} |
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| ==Dosing==
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| Opium can be anywhere from 9-18% morphine by weight, with only a small amount (1-3%) of codeine. Opium can be dosed in many different ways, either by smoking, taking orally, or sublingually. Due to its sticky nature, it’s impossible to crush into a fine powder. For smoking, It’s usually broken up into small chunks, and either put into a joint or spliff, or in a special pipe specially made for vaporizing opium. It can also simply be put under the tongue or swallowed for oral dosing. To calculate a dose, figure out how many milligrams of morphine you want to shoot for, and assume 20% concentration. As an example:
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| If you wanted the equivalent of a 10mg dose of morphine, you would take 50mg of dried sap, and assess how you feel. It’s incredibly important to stress that overdoses can and have happened with opium, and it’s not something you should aim to be taking a lot of.
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| ==See also== | | ==See also== |
