Morphine (MOP)
What is it?
Morphine is a type of opiate (or opioid) that can be dangerously addictive.[1] Due to its effectiveness however, it is prescribed by physicians to help monitor pain in patients who suffer from chronic illnesses.[1]
Morphine binds to opioid receptors in the central nervous system, both brain and spinal cord, to reduce the frequency of neural impulses of pain signals.[4] Morphine isn’t specific to pain impulses however, so when using it, all types of impulses will be slowed down.
Prescribed drugs include:
- Oramorph
- Sevredol
- Filnarine
- Morphgesic
- MST Continus
- MXl
- Zomorph[3]
Common names include:
- Miss Emma
- M
- Monkey
What are the health risks?
Short term symptoms
- Depression
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Constipation
- Insomnia
- Abdominal pain
- Memory loss
- Tremors or seizures
- Vision problems
- Headaches[1]
Long term effects
- Addiction
- Short term symptoms persist
Signs of overdose
- Fluid in lungs
- Limp muscles[1]
- Cold, clammy skin
- Low blood pressure
- Slow heart rate
- Coma[2]
How is it used?
Morphine can be taken either as a pill or through injection.[1]