Narcotics (BtM) are agents originally intended to numb pain in humans. However, drugs also belong to the group of narcotics. The resulting Narcotics Act regulates the use of prescription medical narcotics, as well as the illegal use of addiction- and intoxication-inducing substances.
What are narcotics?
Narcotics (BtM) are agents originally intended to numb pain in humans. However, intoxicants such as cannabis also belong to the group of narcotics. Behind the designation BtM or written out narcotics hide substances that are divided into different categories. The differentiation criterion of the respective classifications is based on the so-called abuse potential, the prescription requirement and their effectiveness. Narcotics contain substances consisting of methadone, levamethadone, codeine, cocaine, heroin, morphine and other addictive additives. In this context, we are talking, on the one hand, about agents that have no medicinal value. On the other hand, another group of narcotics has therapeutic value, and again some narcotics are physically or psychologically addictive.
Application, effect, and use
A variety of narcotics have become indispensable in therapy and disease management for symptom relief. Most patients are familiar with narcotics from their use to reduce or eliminate pain. A greater or lesser concentration of narcotic substances is contained, for example, in various pain medications, which are grouped together under the term analgesics. Furthermore, anesthetics are also important in medicine in order to be able to perform local anesthesia for corresponding surgical procedures and examinations or anesthesia. In addition, narcotics have become very important in palliative medicine, in euthanasia. Anaesthetics enable terminally ill people to die in dignity, without pain and in a light twilight state. The relaxing effect of narcotics also facilitates the dying process. This effect of narcotics is also used in psychiatry to sedate, to immobilize, persons with various mental illnesses. In this context, some narcotics are present in prescription drugs. These are used as sleeping pills and can usually be taken temporarily under medical supervision.
Herbal, natural, and pharmaceutical narcotics.
Over the years, many types of narcotics have been developed that are both synthetic and natural in origin. Within narcotics, there are the stimulants, which include cocaine, crack, and various amphetamines. Furthermore, the sedatives are prescribed. These are based on barbiturates, heroin and benzodiazepines. The hallucinogens among the narcotics are LSD and cannabis. Heroin, cocaine and some narcotic alkaloids as well as morphine are obtained from extracts of special plant constituents. Well-known in this regard are the coca plant and the marijuana shrub or hemp. One particular poppy plant contains morphine. Morphine is a very strong derivative of opium and is one of the best known and oldest narcotics. Opiates or opioids can also be produced synthetically. In contrast, the modern pharmaceutical industry is able to produce narcotics artificially. Of these narcotics, the medically relevant amphetamines and psychodysleptics or hallucinogens are of central importance. In addition to synthetic narcotics, semi-synthetic substances are also used in medicine. LSD and heroin are some of the active substances from this group of narcotics. Certain narcotics obtained from belladonna, for example, play an important role in alternative medicine and homeopathy and are used in various dilution levels. This involves the so-called alkaloids, which are also contained in other plants popularly referred to as “poisonous plants.” Other narcotics considered prescription in homeopathy are snake venoms. These are dispensed up to a potency of D3 only on prescription.A proven anesthetic in homeopathic practice is cannabis, which can also be applied in the form of hemp ointment.
Risks and side effects
The side effects and risks of narcotics result from the chemical ingredients and can be quite significant if not dosed properly. Intoxicated states or feelings result from the impairment of the central nervous system. In addition, physical intolerances such as stomach discomfort or nervousness may occur. Dry mouth, dizziness, and stool constipation are also observed. A particular risk of taking narcotics is the potential for addiction, which leads to a permanent increase in drug intake. The body becomes accustomed to it and demands more and more substance. In some cases, paralysis of the respiratory system occurs with narcotics if an overdose has occurred. Hallucinations, sleep disturbances, and chronic abuse can also be caused by narcotics. Narcotics also increase the risk of having a heart attack and fluctuations in blood pressure occur. As a rule, blood pressure rises. The side effects that occur always depend on the type and dosage of narcotic.
