Drug Addiction Mechanisms in the Brain

Morphine

Author(s): Jayalakshmi Krishnan * .

Pp: 39-44 (6)

DOI: 10.2174/9789815223828124010007

* (Excluding Mailing and Handling)

Abstract

Morphine is a Schedule II drug and it is used in pain treatment. Like other opioid drugs, it also has addictive properties. The other street names of Morphine include M, Miss Emma, Monkey, Roxanol, and White Stuff. There are natural alkaloids come from the resin of opium poppy, Papaver somniferum. Morphine is attached to the receptors in the brain and spinal cord to block pain signals. Morphine impacts the level of dopamine and serotonin by acting in the brain's reward system. Breathing and heart rate are also modified due to morphine which has both short-term and long-term effects. Morphine can last up to 4 to 6 hours in blood. It also acts on the dendrites and spines in order to change the plasticity of the neurons. Endogenous and exogenous opiates target the same tissues and cells.

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