By: Sara Payne

Morphine is derived from opium which comes from the poppy plant. The opium is harvested by scoring the seed pod and allowing the fluid inside to be released. After 24 hours the fluid has solidified into a brownish resin and is scraped off of the pod to be used for consumption.

Morphine was discovered by a pharmacists assistant by the name of Fredrick Wilhelm Sertuner, between 1805 and Morphine was unpopular for fear of addiction that was seen in opium and cocaine. Addiction was thought to be caused by swallowing and digesting a substance, and so with the invention of the hypodermic needle its use became accepted. Morphine was a house hold drug used for minor pain and indigestion problems. It was also used for the treatment of opium and cocaine addiction. The use of morphine during the civil war is said to have produced over 400,000 addicts. Eventually Heroin was used to treat the addiction of morphine.

Morphine effects the body through the brain and the spinal cord, giving its user a euphoric feeling and blocking pain. HOW? The opioid system of receptors receives the morphine molecule, this blocks the signal of pain that would usually be received by this receptor. Neurotransmitters involved:  Endorphin  Enkephalin  Dynorphin  Dopamine

Morphine is a known pain killer, that is commonly associated with prescription drug addiction. Also known for its use in palliative or hospice care. Morphine is considered the “golden standard” for cancer related pain.

 Has been proven to prevent Post- traumatic Stress Disorder in soldiers, who received the drug within an hour of injury.  Can cause chronic morphine users and individuals with immune system deficiencies to heal slower than a healthy person.  Has been proven to suppress the growth of tumors.

 Popularity of street use has diminished, stronger opiates are available with less side effects.  Street use is considered more dangerous not only because of inaccurate doses and dirty needles, but is commonly mixed with other drugs.  Is usually used recreationally after being prescribed by a doctor.  Morphine is a schedule II drug.

 Morphine can be used before surgery or before the administration of anesthesia.  Severe burn victims have been put into a “morphine comma” during the first couple of weeks of a painful healing process. MORPHINE IN ACTION

 Nausea & vomiting  Constipation  Itching or rash (flushed skin)  Respiratory depression

Pressurized Olfactory Device Like a nasal spray, delivers morphine by spraying into the nose. Instead of being absorbed through nasal tissue, is delivered to the back of the nasal cavity and absorbed through the olfactory membrane. From here the morphine is sent directly into the Central Nervous System. Because morphine is not ingested and blood concentration is not as high, there are less side effects and lower dose of the drug is necessary to be effective. This method can be used with fentenyl and have the same potency as an injected dose of morphine.

MorphineFentanyl PotencyHighLow Histamine releaseHighLow Duration of effectsLongShort Cause nauseaMore likelyLess Likely Same level of effectiveness Low doseHigh dose Home use safety level LowHigh

Detoxification : occurs when morphine leaves the body. This creates withdrawal symptoms, some of them are:  Nausea  Vomiting  Diarrhea  Pain  High Blood Pressure  Chills  Sweating  Watery eyes

Drug abusers are not the only people who experience withdrawal. Legitimate users of morphine can have withdrawal symptoms as well. This is expected by doctors, and patients are encouraged to seek help when experiencing symptoms. MORPHINE WITHDRAWAL

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