This is an unofficial archive of PsychonautWiki as of 2025-08-11T15:14:44Z. Content on this page may be outdated, incomplete, or inaccurate. Please refer to the original page for the most up-to-date information.
Opioids
Revision as of 02:48, 27 February 2018 by >Pjb(Grammatics)
It is strongly discouraged to combine these substances, particularly in common to heavy doses.
An opioid is any psychoactive chemical that resembles morphine or other opiates in its pharmacological effects. Opioids work by binding to opioid receptors, which are found principally in the central and peripheral nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract.[citation needed] The receptors in these organ systems mediate both the beneficial effects and the side effects of opioids.
Common substances that affect the u-opioid receptor: morphine, codeine, diacetylmorphine (Heroin), naloxone (Narcan), methadone, tramadol.Poppy pod scored to release opium latexDried pods for preparation of tea or solvent extraction of alkaloids
Although the term opiate is often used as a synonym for opioid, the term opiate is limited to drugs derived from the natural alkaloids found in the resin of the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum)[2]. While opioid is a more general term for substances that act primarily on opioid receptors, including natural occurring alkaloids, synthetic substances and opioid peptides [3].
Opioid dependence can develop with ongoing administration, leading to a withdrawal syndrome with abrupt discontinuation.[4] Opioids are not only well known for their addictive properties, but also for their ability to produce a feeling of euphoria, motivating some to use opioids recreationally.
Opioids are based upon morphine and opium-like structures. They work via their similar chemical structures to the endogenous opioids in the body. Morphine derived opioids, known as morphinans, contain a benzene ring attached to two partially unsaturated cyclohexane rings (phenanthrene) and a 4th nitrogenous ring attached to the core at carbons 9 and 13. There are several classes of opioids which differ greatly in structure from each other. For example, fentanyl and its analogues are structurally unique from morphinans and tramadol derivaties.
Opioids are known to mimic endogenous endorphins. Endorphins are responsible for analgesia (reducing pain), causing sleepiness, and feelings of pleasure. They can be released in response to pain, strenuous exercise, orgasm, or excitement.[citation needed] This mimicking of natural endorphins results in the drug's euphoric, analgesic (pain relief) and anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects.
Receptor types
Opioids act on the three main classes of opioid receptor in the nervous system, μ, κ, δ (mu, kappa, and delta). Each opioid is measured by its agonistic or antagonistic effects towards the receptors, with the responses to the different receptor sub-types (e.g., μ1 and μ2) providing even more effects. Opioid receptors are found mainly within the brain, but also within the spinal cord and digestive tract. [citation needed]
Delta (δ)
The delta receptor is responsible for the analgesia, antidepressant and convulsant effects as well as physical dependence.[citation needed]
The nociceptin receptor is responsible for anxiety, depression, appetite and development of tolerance to μ agonists.[citation needed]
Zetta (ζ)
The zetta opioid receptor, also known as opioid growth factor receptor (OGFr) is responsible for tissue growth, neural development, and is further implicated in the development in some cancers. The endogenous ligand for OGFr is met-enkephalin, which is also a powerful endogenous delta opioid receptor agonist.[citation needed]
Subjective effects
Disclaimer: The effects listed below cite the Subjective Effect Index (SEI), an open research literature based on anecdotal user reports and the personal analyses of PsychonautWikicontributors. As a result, they should be viewed with a healthy degree of skepticism.
It is also worth noting that these effects will not necessarily occur in a predictable or reliable manner, although higher doses are more liable to induce the full spectrum of effects. Likewise, adverse effects become increasingly likely with higher doses and may include addiction, severe injury, or death ☠.
Physical effects
Euphoria - This sensation can be described as extreme feelings of intense physical comfort, warmth, and all-encompassing bliss.
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.
Internal hallucinations - One may experience feelings of hypnagogia during a state of "nodding" which is often accompanied by vivid dream-like visions.
In non-chronic use of safe dosages of opioids, physical and neurological toxicity are markedly safe.[citation needed]
Long term effects
Long term use of opioids causes hormonal imbalance in both men and women.[5]
In men, this opioid-induced androgen decificeny essentially means that a long-term male opioid user will produce less than normal amounts of sex hormones – especially testosterone.[6]
This negative change in endocrine function in males can lead to:
Reduced libido
Erectile dysfunction
Fatigue
Depression
A long term male user may also find more visual effects of their lowered testosterone such as:
Reduced facial and body hair
Decreased muscle mass
Weight gain
It is strongly recommended that one use harm reduction practices when using this class of substances.
Tolerance and addiction potential
Due to the highly euphoric nature of these substances, the recreational use and abuse of opioids has an extremely high rate of addiction and dependence. This is combined with a tolerance which builds up quickly, necessitates that the user take increasingly high dosages in order to get the same effects.
The risk of fatal opioid overdoses rise sharply after a period of cessation and relapse, largely because of reduced tolerance.[7] To account for this lack of tolerance, it is safer to only dose a fraction of one's usual dosage if relapsing. It has also been found that the environment one is in can play a role in opioid tolerance. In one scientific study, rats with the same history of heroin administration were significantly more likely to die after receiving their dose in an environment not associated with the drug in contrast to a familiar environment.[8]
↑Cammarano, W. B., Pittet, J. F., Weitz, S., Schlobohm, R. M., & Marks, J. D. (1998). Acute withdrawal syndrome related to the administration of analgesic and sedative medications in adult intensive care unit patients. Critical care medicine, 26(4), 676-684.
