Difference between revisions of "Narcotics"
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==Origin== | ==Origin== | ||
[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] ''narkotik'', from Middle French ''narcotique'', from ''narcotique'', adjective, from Medieval Latin ''narcoticus'', from Greek ''narkōtikos'', from ''narkoun'' to benumb, from ''narkē'' numbness | [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] ''narkotik'', from Middle French ''narcotique'', from ''narcotique'', adjective, from Medieval Latin ''narcoticus'', from Greek ''narkōtikos'', from ''narkoun'' to benumb, from ''narkē'' numbness | ||
| − | [ | + | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_century 14th Century] |
==Definitions== | ==Definitions== | ||
| − | *1: a [[drug]] (as [ | + | *1: a [[drug]] (as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opium opium] or morphine) that in moderate doses dulls the [[senses]], relieves [[pain]], and induces profound [[sleep]] but in excessive doses causes stupor, [[coma]], or convulsions |
*2: a drug (as marijuana or LSD) subject to restriction similar to that of [[addictive]] narcotics whether physiologically addictive and narcotic or not | *2: a drug (as marijuana or LSD) subject to restriction similar to that of [[addictive]] narcotics whether physiologically addictive and narcotic or not | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | The term '''narcotic''' (/nɑrˈkɒtɨk/, from [ | + | The term '''narcotic''' (/nɑrˈkɒtɨk/, from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greek ancient Greek] ναρκῶ narkō, "Ι benumb") originally referred medically to any psychoactive compound with any [[sleep]]-inducing properties. In the [[United States]] it has since become associated with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opioids opioids], commonly [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morphine morphine] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroin heroin] and their derivatives, such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrocodone hydrocodone]. The term is, today, imprecisely defined and typically has [[negative]] connotations. When used in a legal context in the U.S., a narcotic drug is simply one that is totally prohibited, or one that is used in violation of strict governmental regulation, such as heroin or morphine. |
From a pharmacological standpoint it is not a useful term, as is evidenced by the [[fact]] that [[spirit]] and wine are [[classified]] differently due to their [[intoxicating]] power; while the narcotic principle to opium and tobacco imparts similar properties. In popular [[language]], alcohol is classed among the stimulants; and opium and tobacco among the narcotics; which are substances whose ultimate [[effect]] upon the [[animal]] system is to produce torpor and insensibility; but taken in small [[quantities]] they at first exhilarate. And since alcohol does the same, most medical [[writers]], at the present day, class it among the narcotics. | From a pharmacological standpoint it is not a useful term, as is evidenced by the [[fact]] that [[spirit]] and wine are [[classified]] differently due to their [[intoxicating]] power; while the narcotic principle to opium and tobacco imparts similar properties. In popular [[language]], alcohol is classed among the stimulants; and opium and tobacco among the narcotics; which are substances whose ultimate [[effect]] upon the [[animal]] system is to produce torpor and insensibility; but taken in small [[quantities]] they at first exhilarate. And since alcohol does the same, most medical [[writers]], at the present day, class it among the narcotics. | ||
| − | Statutory [[classification]] of a [[drug]] as a narcotic often increases the penalties for [[violation]] of drug control statutes. For example, although federal law classifies both [ | + | Statutory [[classification]] of a [[drug]] as a narcotic often increases the penalties for [[violation]] of drug control statutes. For example, although federal law classifies both [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocaine cocaine] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphetamines amphetamines] as "Schedule II" drugs, the penalty for possession of cocaine is greater than the penalty for possession of amphetamines because cocaine, unlike amphetamines, is classified as a narcotic.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcotics] |
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*'''''[[Addiction]]''''' | *'''''[[Addiction]]''''' | ||
Latest revision as of 01:27, 13 December 2020
Origin
Middle English narkotik, from Middle French narcotique, from narcotique, adjective, from Medieval Latin narcoticus, from Greek narkōtikos, from narkoun to benumb, from narkē numbness 14th Century
Definitions
- 1: a drug (as opium or morphine) that in moderate doses dulls the senses, relieves pain, and induces profound sleep but in excessive doses causes stupor, coma, or convulsions
- 2: a drug (as marijuana or LSD) subject to restriction similar to that of addictive narcotics whether physiologically addictive and narcotic or not
Description
The term narcotic (/nɑrˈkɒtɨk/, from ancient Greek ναρκῶ narkō, "Ι benumb") originally referred medically to any psychoactive compound with any sleep-inducing properties. In the United States it has since become associated with opioids, commonly morphine and heroin and their derivatives, such as hydrocodone. The term is, today, imprecisely defined and typically has negative connotations. When used in a legal context in the U.S., a narcotic drug is simply one that is totally prohibited, or one that is used in violation of strict governmental regulation, such as heroin or morphine.
From a pharmacological standpoint it is not a useful term, as is evidenced by the fact that spirit and wine are classified differently due to their intoxicating power; while the narcotic principle to opium and tobacco imparts similar properties. In popular language, alcohol is classed among the stimulants; and opium and tobacco among the narcotics; which are substances whose ultimate effect upon the animal system is to produce torpor and insensibility; but taken in small quantities they at first exhilarate. And since alcohol does the same, most medical writers, at the present day, class it among the narcotics.
Statutory classification of a drug as a narcotic often increases the penalties for violation of drug control statutes. For example, although federal law classifies both cocaine and amphetamines as "Schedule II" drugs, the penalty for possession of cocaine is greater than the penalty for possession of amphetamines because cocaine, unlike amphetamines, is classified as a narcotic.[1]
