Saturday, May 24, 2008

How Opiates Affect The Human Body

By: Chris Channing

Known for centuries as some of the most powerful painkillers, opiates are narcotic drugs made from the poppy plant P. somniferum. Manmade synthetic opiates, called opioids, are made to be used in prescription painkillers such as fentanyl. Opiates are body numbing analgesics that are extremely effective in the relief of pain. In addition to their painkilling abilities, opiates are some of the most addictive substances on the planet and risk for abuse is present with every form of opiate. When withdrawal from opiates occurs, it is known to be one of the most agonizing drug withdrawals, and in the case of powerful opiates such as heroin, it is possible to die from withdrawal symptoms.

Short-Term Effects of Opiate Usage Continue reading