The poppy flower pod contains the natural opioids, opium and morphine. These opioids (opiates) are very powerful narcotic analgesics used medicinally primarily for pain relief, anesthesia, suppress cough and diarrhea, treat addiction, reverse opioid overdose. and side-effect use of somnolence. Extremely strong opioids are approved only for veterinary use such as immobilizing large mammals. Opioids are substances that act on opioid receptors in the body to produce morphine-like effects. Opioid is properly limited to the natural alkaloids found in the resin of the opium poppy although some include semi-synthetic derivatives. Other opioids are semi-synthetic and synthetic drugs varying in potency such as heroin, codeine, hydrocodone, meperidine, oxycodone, methadone, hyrdromorphone, and fentanyl; antagonist drugs such as naloxone and endogenous peptides such as the endorphins.

Tolerance and dependence will develop with continuous use. Side effects of euphoria and somnolence attracts recreational use, and frequent, escalating recreational use of opioids typically results in addiction. Accidental overdose or concurrent use with other depressant drugs and alcohol commonly results in death from respiratory depression. Because of opioid drugs' reputation for addiction and fatal overdose, they are highly controlled substances by DEA. Conversely, fears about over-prescribing, exaggerated side effects and addiction from opioids are similarly blamed for under-treatment of pain.

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