Natural (Opiates) are considered "Straight from the source." As they are refined specifically from the resin of the Papaver somniferum (opium poppy). Opiates have been associated for around 5,000 to 8,000 years, dating back to the Neolithic Age, when they were primarily cultivated for medicinal, ritual, and recreational purposes. Nowadays, opiates are primarily used in three specific medical contexts: pain relief, cough suppression, and diarrhea treatment.
Examples that may sound familiar consist of...
Codeine
Codeine is an example of a opiate medication; "straight from the source" of the opium poppy. Codeine is primarily used for short-term relief of mild to moderate pain and a cough suppressant.
Morphine
Morphine is another example of a natural opiate that is used for treating severe acute and chronic pain. Morphine directly binds to opioid receptors in the central nervous system to block pain signals.
Thebaine
Thebaine is an example of a natural opiate compound that comes directly from the opium poppy. Thebaine is not commonly used for pain relief itself, but it is mainly used in laboratories to create semi-synthetic opioids such as oxycodone and hydrocodone.
Papaverine
Papaverine is an example of a natural opiate compound derived from the opium poppy. Papaverine is primarily used to relax smooth muscles and widen blood vessels, helping improve blood flow and reduce muscle spasms.
Noscapine
Noscapine is an example of a natural opiate compound that comes directly from the opium poppy. Noscapine is mainly used as a cough suppressant and does not produce the strong pain-relieving or euphoric effects associated with many other opiates.
Cherry, Kendra. “Opiates: Definition, Types, Impact, and Risks.” Edited by Steven Gans, What Are Opiates?, Very Well Mind, 31 May 2024, www.verywellmind.com/what-are-opiates-2795406.
“Nida.Nih.Gov.” National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, nida.nih.gov/. Accessed 4 May 2026.
“Codeine.” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682065.html. Accessed 8 May 2026.
“Morphine.” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682133.html. Accessed 8 May 2026.
“Noscapine.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/science/noscapine. Accessed 8 May 2026.
“Opium.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/science/opium. Accessed 8 May 2026.
“Papaverine.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/science/papaverine. Accessed 8 May 2026.
“Thebaine.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/science/thebaine. Accessed 8 May 2026.