Synthetic Man-Made
What is a synthetic opioid made completely in a lab?
Fentanyl, Methadone, or Carfentanil
What does “semi-synthetic” mean?
Made from natural opioids but changed in a lab
What plant do natural opioids come from?
The opium poppy
Who were the first group of people to discover opium?
Ancient Sumerians
What do opiods release in the brain which cause you to feel euphoric?
Dopamine
Why are synthetic opioids more dangerous than natural ones?
Extreme potency, rapid action, and a mixture of other drugs
Name one semi-synthetic opioid.
Oxycodone, Oxymorphone, or Hydromorphone
Name a natural opioid.
Morphine, Codeine, or Thebaine
What philosopher later documented opiums medical use for pain relief?
Hippocrates
What part of the body is affected when opioids slow breathing?
The Brainstem
What synthetic opioid is often illegally mixed into other drugs?
Fentanyl
How can semi-synthetic opioids lead to addiction?
They cause tolerance and dependence over time
What is the main medical use of natural opioids?
Pain relief
Which specific opioid was isolated in the 19th century for its medical purposes?
Morphine
What do opioids do inside your brain and why are they deadly?
Opioids bind to the receptors in the brainstem which can temporarily cancel pain signals but also slow breathing down and cause carbon dioxide buildup