Opium often leads to nausea and vomiting, especially at the beginning of the effect, and causes the pupils to constrict. Since opioids also have a cough and respiratory depressant effect, there is a risk of respiratory paralysis, which can lead to coma and death, especially with larger quantities.

Opioids, regardless of whether they are injected, taken orally or inhaled, have an effect on those areas of the brain that contain so-called opiate receptors. The duration of action of opioids is determined by the respective substance, the amount of substance, the form of intake and physical factors such as weight or gender, and can range from one hour to over a day. After several weeks of intensive opioid use, the body develops tolerance to the opioids taken, which means that more and more must be consumed in order to achieve the desired effect again. When the substance is discontinued, the body reacts with hot and cold shivers, severe pain in the limbs, depression and hallucinations.

Regular use of opioids can lead to physical and psychological dependence. Regular administration of opioids can lead to the development of tolerance, i.e. the body no longer reacts as sensitively to the dose administered and craves more. If opium addicts stop taking the substance abruptly, they usually suffer from the following withdrawal symptoms: Restlessness, irritability, feeling weak, anxiety, depression, insomnia, cold shivers, sweating, runny eyes and nose, diarrhoea, vomiting and painful cramps of the body muscles. If the dose is not increased, the respiratory depressant, analgesic and depressant effects of opium are reduced.

Psychological and physical dependence on opioids often initiate a cycle that is difficult to break. All interests become increasingly focussed on the drug. Under the influence of opioids, it is difficult to adjust to work or interpersonal situations. Due to physical tolerance, the required dose - and thus the cost of the substance - becomes ever higher. Due to a lack of resilience and financial hardship, there is a risk of losing their job or being evicted from their home. In addition, the use of previously used syringes and syringe equipment (such as spoons and filters) can lead to the transmission of chronic infectious diseases such as hepatitis or HIV.

• Due to its depressant effect on the respiratory centre, opium - and other downers - should not be consumed under any circumstances if you suffer from lung diseases (such as asthma).
• Mental and physical discomfort
• Pregnancy and during breastfeeding

The physical tolerance to opium & other opioids leads to a (cross) tolerance to all other natural and synthetic opioids. This means that people who regularly consume opium and increase the dose in order to feel the desired effects would also have to consume more heroin than people without tolerance in order to feel strong effects. However, no cross-tolerance develops with regard to alcohol. As a result, the effects of the substances reinforce each other, increasing the risk of overdose and/or respiratory paralysis. The risk of respiratory paralysis is also increased by the simultaneous use of GHB, benzodiazepines, barbiturates and/or other opioids. Respiratory paralyses often lead to coma states, in some cases to death by suffocation.

Anyone who consumes opium despite the health and criminal law risks should be aware of the following points in addition to the general information on risk reduction:

• Downers are unsuitable for "coming down" from speed, cocaine or ecstasy, as they only delay the exhaustion and depression phase, further intensify the negative effects and increase the risk of addiction to stimulants and/or downers.
• Opioid overdose can lead to unconsciousness, choking on vomit, respiratory paralysis and cardiac arrest. Affected persons must therefore be placed in the recovery position and must never be left alone. If unconscious, call an ambulance immediately. In the event of respiratory and cardiovascular arrest, you or another person with basic first aid skills must immediately provide first aid to the victim(s).

The capsules of the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), the type of poppy used to produce opium, contain a milky sap that turns into a brown mass - the raw opium - when exposed to air. Opium contains between 25 and 40 different nitrogen compounds - known as alkaloids - with morphine or morphine, noscapine and codeine being the most important substances in terms of quantity. Morphine in turn forms the basic substance for the production of diacetylmorphine, heroin.

Opioids can be categorised as natural (morphine, codeine), semi-synthetic (e.g. heroin), synthetic (such as methadone) and endogenous opioids (endorphins or enkephalins). The natural opioids - these are all substances found in the sap of the opium poppy - are also known as opiates.

The poppy, from which opium is extracted, is native to what is now southern Iraq. Opium is said to have been used as an intoxicant around 6000 years ago. In ancient times, the poppy with its intoxicating effects was regarded as the food of "divining dragons", as a mysterious magic plant and as a "dream" and sleeping aid. During Roman rule in what is now Greece, the use of opium spread to all parts of Europe and later to Persia, India and China.

As a medicinal plant, the poppy plays an important role in the history of pharmacy. In the early 16th century, the physician, natural scientist and founder of modern medicine - Paracelsus - used opium for the first time for medicinal purposes, primarily to treat pain, diarrhoea and as a sleeping pill. In the 17th century, opium developed into one of the most important commercial products. In 1805, the then 18-year-old German pharmacist Friedrich Wilhelm Sertürner isolated morphine from opium, which is still used in medicine today as an important painkiller instead of raw opium.

The increasing medical and economic importance of opium and the use of opium as a narcotic drug led to the so-called Opium War between China and England in 1839, which ended with the subjugation of China. Today, however, it is clear that opium merely served as a pretext for the war.

Poppy cultivation - for the production of opium and as a crop - is common in many countries around the world today. The largest cultivation areas can be found in the so-called "Golden Triangle", an area bordering Laos, Burma and Thailand, as well as in Central Asia, Turkey and Mexico. In Austria, poppies are cultivated in small quantities as an ornamental plant and for the production of poppy seeds and poppy seed oil.

In 1961, poppy straw concentrate, opium, raw opium, heroin, methadone, morphine and codeine were included in the New York Convention on Narcotic Drugs. In Austria, heroin is subject to the Narcotic Substances Act and its penal provisions. In particular, the acquisition, production, import and export, transfer to and procurement for others (transfer, sale, etc.) is punishable by law and can result in fines and imprisonment.