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Lower concentrations may be found in a handful of other species in the poppy family, as well as in some species of hops and mulberry trees. Morphine is produced most predominantly early in the life cycle of the plant. Past the optimum point for extraction, various processes in the plant produce codeine, thebaine, and in some cases low quantities of hydromorphone, dihydromorphine, dihydrocodeine, tetrahydrothebaine, and hydrocodone.

Morphine has a high potential for addiction; tolerance and psychological dependence develop rapidly, although physical addiction may take several months to develop.

Morphine was discovered as the first active alkaloid extracted from the opium poppy plant in December 1804 in Paderborn, Germany, by Friedrich Sertürner.[2]

Later it was found that morphine was more addictive than either alcohol or opium, and its extensive use during the American Civil War allegedly resulted in over 400,000[4] sufferers from the "soldier's disease" of morphine addiction.[

Diacetylmorphine (better known as heroin) was synthesized from morphine in 1874 and brought to market by Bayer in 1898. Heroin is approximately 1.5 to 2 times more potent than morphine on a milligram-for-milligram basis.

An ampoule of morphine with integral needle for immediate use. From WWII.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is common among intravenous drug users.

A large overdose can cause asphyxia and death by respiratory depression if the person does not receive medical attention immediately.[31] Treatments include administration of activated charcoal, intravenous fluids, laxatives and naloxone. The latter completely reverses morphine's effects, but precipitates immediate onset of withdrawal in opiate-addicted subjects. Multiple doses may be needed.[31]

200 mg

sleepiness, and feelings of pleasure. They can be released in response to pain, strenuous exercise, orgasm, or excitement.

phenanthrene opioid receptor agonist

Chronic Opioid Analgesic Therapy (COAT)

Morphine is a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid with two additional ring closures.

C17H19NO3H2O

"body high",

Morphine is known on the street and elsewhere as M, Number 13 (13th letter of alphabet, cf. Number 8 for heroin, Number 3 for codeine or cocaine)

, glad stuff, happy stuff, happy powder, white nurse, Red Cross, first line, unkie, mojo, God's Own Medicine, Vitamin M, Emma. Emmy, Lady M, white lady, cube, cube juice, mo, morf, morph, morpho, Miss Emma, mofo, hard stuff, dry grog, white hop (more accurately used for pantopon-type drugs), white merchandise, uncle, Uncle Morphy, big M, Murphy, morphy, coby, cobics, gold dust, monkey dust, love dust (cf. "initiative" for cocaine; more commonly used for MDA or MDMA), needle candy (cf. nose candy for cocaine; heroin, Dilaudid, Numorphan and the like are also known as such) and others.

, but they are also one of the most common roads to addiction around today.

hree Classes of Prescription Drugs Most Commonly Abused Opioids - which are used to treat pain (includes codeine, oxycodone and morphine) Central nervous system (CNS) depressants - used to treat sleep disorders and anxiety (includes barbiturates and benzodiazepines) Stimulants - used for narcolepsy, ADHD and obesity (includes dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate)

Extreme drowsiness Pinpoint pupils Confusion Cold and clammy skin Weak pulse Shallow breathing Fainting Breathing that stops

Just because morphine is a prescribed drug for pain relief does not mean this drug cannot become addictive.