AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Endophins appear to duplicate the effects (physical and pharmacological) in humans of narcotics, such as morphine, heroin, and other opium derivatives. Essentially, endorphins are internal narcotics which, if supplied from an external source, would be criminally prescribed.

Detailed explanation-2: -Morphine appears to mimic the body’s endorphins that are responsible for analgesia (reducing pain), causing sleepiness, and feelings of pleasure. Morphine is a phenanthrene opioid receptor agonist which binds to and activates opioid receptors in the central nervous system.

Detailed explanation-3: -Morphine binding to opioid receptors blocks transmission of nociceptive signals, signals pain-modulating neurons in the spinal cord, and inhibits primary afferent nociceptors to the dorsal horn sensory projection cells. Morphine has a time to onset of 6-30 minutes.

Detailed explanation-4: -Chemical structure and source The chemical formula for morphine is C17H19NO3. It is a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid and is the most abundant opiate present in opium. The three dimensional structure has five rings. Of these, three lie approximately in the same plane.