What are Opiates?
Opiates are narcotics that contain Opium. Opium is derived from the pod of the poppy Papover somniferum. There are two processes that remove the extract. The narcotics which opium is an ingredient in are: Morphine, Codeine, Thebaine and Heroin (see Heroin section). Morphine is used exclusively in hospitals, excluding the use by drug abusers, as a pain reliever. Codeine is produced from morphine and is found in several legal products outside of a hospital. It is for moderate pain relief and is sometimes combined with aspirin, acetaminophen, Robitussin AC, Cheracol and elixir of terpin hydrate. Thebaine is a minor constituent of opium, an alkaloid present in another species of poppy Papover bracteatum. Although thebaine is like morphine and codeine, it produces stimulant effects rather than a depressant effect.
