What are narcotics?

-addictive drugs that reduce the user s perception of pain and induce euphoria ( a feeling of exaggerated and unrealistic wellbeing) -refer to drugs that are derived from opium -The most used narcotic drugs are heroin, morphine, codeine, hydrocodone and oxycodone.

 Narcotic drugs, which are also known as opiates, are controlled substances that are produced from the poppy plant. These drugs bind to certain areas of the brain to block pain. oldest as well as the strongest analgesics, or pain relieving drugs, known to humans. These drugs often induce a state of euphoria or feeling of extreme well being, and they are powerfully addictive. Because of the addictive qualities of these drugs, most countries in the twenty first century have strict laws regarding the - Raw - Opium production and distribution of narcotics.
opium poppy plant

How do the narcotics affect the body?

The central nervous system in humans and other mammals contains five different types of opioid receptor proteins, located primarily in the brain, spinal cord, and digestive tract. When a person takes an opioid medication, the drug attaches to these opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord and decreases the person's perception of pain. Narcotics do not, however, reduce or eliminate the cause of the pain. Some of the opioid receptors influence a person's perception of pleasure. When a narcotic medication stimulates these receptor proteins, the person typically experiences intense sensations of euphoria or well being. The speed with which these drugs take effect depends on the method of administration (oral narcotics take about an hour and a half, and skin patches take between two and four hours.)

 There are of course legitimate uses for them, like treating pain, anxiety, aggression and even diarrhea. Analgesic: Doctors frequently prescribe oral codeine and propoxyphene (alone or in combination with aspirin) for pain control after oral surgery, for severe menstual cramps, and for temporary pain relief after other outpatient surgical procedures. Antitussive: Antitussives are medications given to control coughing. In addition to the risk of dependency or addiction, narcotics have a number of physical side effects, including the following: constipation drowsiness withdrawal symptoms after extended use (tearing, sweating, diarrhea, vomiting, gooseflesh, muscle twitching, runny nose, loss of appetite, and hot or cold flashes)

What are the dangers of narcotics? Toxicity can develop, which could cause you to
lose motor coordination and slur your speech.

Narcotics can be dangerous because of their potential for deadly interactions with other medications as well as their potential for dependence and addiction. Narcotics should never be combined with other types of drugs that depress the central nervous system. These categories of drugs include the following: alcohol benzodiazepine tranquilizers barbiturates, used to treat insomnia and anxiety antihistamines, even over the counter cold or allergy medications, which can interact with

 What's especially dangerous about narcotics like heroin is that they are taken into the body by means of a needle, which puts you at risk for developing skin infections, hepatitis and even HIV/AIDS. While the drug itself is dangerous, in this case, it is often the method by which it is put in the body that can cause the most harm. Other problems include a likelihood of overdosing. Even though you build up a tolerance to the drug over time, you still require more and more to feel the same effects. At some point, you could experience respiratory depression and could even die.

Effects on Performance
Narcotics have been used as analgesics (painkillers) in sport, enabling athletes to continue to compete with injuries that otherwise would be incapacitating. There is evidence that some athletes use them to induce a sense of euphoria and reduce feelings of fatigue. The International Olympic Committee has banned their use. Its list of banned substances includes codeine which, in the UK, is readily available in over the counter cough and cold medicines.