The opium poppy has undoubtedly caused untold suffering by people addicted to its alkaloids, but has also brought immeasurable relief from pain for countless people throughout the ages.
I n the commercial legal production of opium, large fields of poppies are carefully grown in undisclosed locations. The raw opium is harvested using the "poppy straw" method. When the flowers gave gone to seed, combines cut the dried seed stalks containing alkaloid-rich, seed-bearing capsules.
The seeds are removed for the culinary market. Raw opium is chemically extracted from the ground up capsules. An opium poppy seedling Papaver somniferum , showing two slender cotyledons and several young, developing leaves. The seed is still attached to one of the cotyledons. Note the favose-reticulate honeycombed seed coat.
The following image shows the very pale flower that developed from these seedlings. Flower of opium poppy Papaver somniferum grown from commercial poppy seed. This strain has very pale petals compared with other more showy cultivars. Mature seed pod of the opium poppy Papaver somniferum with milky latex sap dripping from a recent cut. Processed poppy seeds are generally used in baking, such as in a poppy seed bun, which poses no threat to consumers.
However, the high concentration of morphine contained in unwashed poppy seeds and extracted through home-brew methods may pose a danger of overdose or death. This is a new illicit way of obtaining high levels of morphine. Materials provided by Sam Houston State University. Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Science News. ScienceDaily, 10 October Sam Houston State University. Home-brewed poppy seed tea can be lethal. Retrieved November 10, from www. Aside from pain relief and a sense of euphoria, opiates can cause:.
The seeds, stems, and pods sold to make poppy seed tea are unwashed. Poppy seeds are not created equal, and everyone processes them differently. Poppy seeds can vary in their concentrations of codeine and morphine, meaning that the strength of the tea made by one crop of seed can be quite different from another.
Additionally, people metabolize the poppy seed differently. One study gave poppy seeds to volunteers, and there was a big variation in how much codeine and morphine were excreted in their urine. Eating poppy seeds has, in fact, caused individuals to fail urine drug screenings.
In the past, even modest amounts of poppy seeds have caused people to test positive for morphine , one of the opioids contained in the poppy. DHHS increased the threshold for detecting opiate metabolites in urine to help prevent these false positives, so you or your loved one can safely enjoy a poppy seed bagel.
The dried pods or straw are ground into a powder and steeped in water. This is a popular way to extract opioids from the poppy.
Research has shown it is possible to create a lethal dose of morphine in poppy seed tea brewed at home. Because it is almost impossible to tell what the concentration of the active drugs might be in any one crop of poppy pods or poppy seeds, it is impossible to control the amount of the drug enough to avoid overdose. Opioids suppress the respiratory system, which can lead to death by respiratory arrest after an overdose of the drug.
If someone you care about experiences the following symptoms of opioid overdose, call immediately and stay with the person. Paramedics carry a medication called Narcan naloxone that can counter the effects of an opiate overdose.
Poppy seed tea can be addictive and deadly. There have been a number of documented cases of death from the use of poppy tea. Opioids are extremely habit-forming and can quickly lead to tolerance, physical dependence, and addiction. Opioid withdrawal can occur when stopping cold turkey, resulting in unpleasant symptoms often described as "having a bad flu," with fever and sweating, nausea and vomiting, muscle aches and pain, and insomnia.
Tapering off the drugs slowly can help avoid some unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Your best bet is to consult with your physician about how to wean yourself or a loved one from poppy seed tea. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. If you or someone you care about is brewing tea with poppy seeds, know that it is not a fad, but a dangerous practice that could kill.
Seek help from your physician, a counselor, or your local drug and alcohol treatment center if you suspect your loved one is using this or any other drug. Drug use is difficult to address on your own, so don't hesitate to get help from those who have experience with the issue.
0コメント