Morphine: characteristics and short- and long-term effects.

Morphine is one of the most potent analgesics, but its use is not without risk if we are not careful.

Whether because it has been administered to us on occasion, because of general culture or because we have read about it or seen it on occasion, most of the population knows what morphine is. This substance derived from the opiates produces a deep anesthesia while often generating pleasurable sensations. However, most people usually have a vague and general idea of its effects.

This article will present the effects of morphine, both short and long term..

Morphine as a psychoactive substance

Morphine is a psychoactive substance derived from the opium or opium poppy plant.. This drug is, like the rest of the opium derivatives, a potent depressant agent of the nervous system, being part of the group of psycholeptic substances.

Thus, morphine has effects that are mainly associated with a decrease in brain activity. are associated with a decrease in brain activity and cause a powerful and which cause a powerful relaxing, analgesic and narcotic effect. In fact, its very name evokes these effects, since it comes from the Greek figure of Morpheus.

In addition, apart from this narcotic effect, it also provokes pleasant sensations, such as the sensation of floating and a certain euphoria..

Its use

The use of morphine is very extended at medical level like anesthetic and analgesic at the time of fighting the own pains of some surgeries or of diseases like the cancer.

It has also been used on occasion to treat addiction and withdrawal from heroin, a drug derived from morphine. However, there is a risk of addiction and dependence and addiction to this substanceHowever, there is a risk of dependence and addiction to this substance, so its use must be highly regulated.

On the other hand, in some cases it has come to be used recreationally. Consumption is usually intravenous, although there are presentations in the form of tablets.although there are presentations in the form of ingestible tablets.

It must be taken into account that its consumption can generate powerful side effects that can even put the life of the subjects at risk if the dose is not adequately controlled.

Mechanism of action

Morphine, like the majority of opium derivatives, presents its action in the organism due to its interaction with endogenous opioid receptors present in our organism, of which it is an agonist.

Likewise, it causes an effect on the synthesis and transmission of noradrenaline, producing a lower transmission of this substance.

Short-term effects of morphine

The short-term effects of morphine are many and varied, and are generally the reason why they are applied both medically and in other situations. However, side or harmful effects can also occur if the dose is excessive. Some of them are the following.

1. Analgesia

Morphine is one of the most potent analgesics known, causing the absence of the perception of pain.It is one of the most powerful analgesics known, causing the absence of pain perception in most cases. Pain caused by cancers, trauma, heart attacks or surgeries can be medically treated with morphine or a derivative of it.

2. Sedation

Another of the main effects of morphine is sedation, which can range from mild relaxation to mild relaxation. from mild relaxation to excessive and prolonged drowsiness. excessive and prolonged drowsiness. In fact, such is its potency in this regard that excessive administration could cause coma in the patient.

3. Initial euphoria

Opium derivatives such as morphine initially generate a high level of euphoria and then go on to cause feelings of relaxation and drowsiness.

4. Gastrointestinal and gastrointestinal tract disorders

It is not uncommon for people taking morphine to experience gastrointestinal discomfort, as well as constipation, dry mouth, nausea and vomiting..

5. Effects on muscles: feeling of heaviness, warmth or stiffness

It is common for one of the effects of morphine to be a feeling of heaviness in the muscles of the extremities. However, when doses are high when doses are highHowever, when doses are high, morphine can cause increased stiffness in the abdominal and thoracic muscles, as well as in other muscle groups.

6. Effects on the respiratory system

As we have said, morphine causes a depression of the nervous system which generates the analgesia and sedation described above. One of the nuclei that reduces its activity is the one linked to respiration, which becomes slower and more superficial. becomes slower and more superficial.

It can also cause a depression of the cardiorespiratory function that can lead to the death of the user if the dose used is not controlled.

7. Lowers Blood pressure

Another effect of morphine is on blood pressure, which it reduces by reducing the action of the autonomic nervous system. Also it can also produce bradycardia or arrhythmias..

8. Pupillary myosis

As with heroin, morphine usually causes alterations such as miosis or contraction of the pupils.

9. Hallucinations

Sometimes morphine consumption produces the perception of elements that do not find a correlate in the real world.

However, outside of hospital settings in which the dose is being controlled, this effect often indicates the presence of severe intoxication. usually indicates the presence of severe intoxication..

10. Seizures

Occasionally, and especially in case of overdose, reactions in the form of agitation, agitation, agitation, agitation, agitation, agitation, agitation, agitation reactions in the form of agitation, tremor and even uncontrolled convulsions may occur uncontrolled convulsions.

Long-term effects

Morphine is generally used in specific and controlled contexts in which large doses are not used, or it is used as a palliative element in terminal patients. In these cases, serious long-term effects are not usually considered.

However, sometimes morphine use has to be prolonged for some time, or the user uses it frequently regardless of professional indications. In these cases, in addition to the possible short-term effects, the effects of accumulated consumption over time must be added, the main risk being the acquisition of tolerance and dependence to the substance. to the substance. In this aspect we can consider the following effects.

1. Dependence

One of the possible long-term effects of morphine if consumption is more or less frequent, as is the case with other opiates, is the acquisition of dependence on it. Morphine is a substance with a high addictive potentialMorphine is a substance with a high addictive potential, like heroin, which can have serious mental and behavioral consequences.

2. Cognitive and impulse control effects

One of the long-term effects of morphine in cases of prolonged and continued use and dependence is to provoke alterations such as impaired judgment, dysphoria and impaired impulse control..

3. Severe constipation

One of the effects of morphine is the presence of intestinal discomfort and difficulties in excretion. In the long term, severe constipation may occur for the habitual user.

4. Social problems and risk behaviors

Dependence and withdrawal from this substance or other types of opiates can lead to impulsive and antisocial behaviors, which can range from disconnection and loss of relationships to committing robberies or even blood crimes in order to obtain resources to get a dose.

Risky behaviors such as sharing of syringes between dependents, which can lead to the spread of diseases such as HIV and hepatitis.

5. Withdrawal Syndrome

Cessation of consumption in dependent consumers, if done abruptly, can have serious health effects. At the physiological level it usually produces dysphoria or emotional discomfort, anxiety, craving or desire for consumption, vomiting and diarrhea, pain, mydriasis or pupil dilation, insomnia, fever and even convulsions.

Alterations in pregnant women and infants.

Morphine can be transmitted through blood or breast milk, so it should not be used in pregnant or lactating women. It can generate dependence in the offspring, so in addition to the possible short-term effects, it can have serious repercussions for the development of the baby.

Bibliographic references:

• Santos, J.L. ; García, L.I. ; Calderón, M.A. Sanz, L.J.; de los Ríos, P.; Izquierdo, S.; Román, P.; Hernangómez, L.; Navas, E.; Ladrón, A and Álvarez-Cienfuegos, L. (2012). Psicología Clínica. Manual CEDE de Preparación PIR, 02. CEDE. Madrid.