Positive Effects Of Opium Usage

Opium has negative and positive affects on the brain and this dynamic of affects can also be seen with its behavioral and health effects depending on length and frequency of the usage. At the start of opium usage users experience positive effects including a sense of euphoria, relaxation and a decrease pain which stems from its analgesic properties. Then shortly thereafter individuals begin to feel lethargic. Unfortunately, extended usage of opium comes with negative behavioral changes. These range from changes in libido, which is often inhibited as well as increases in anxiety or in mood disturbances. Opium usage has also been shown to increase the risky behaviors of users. These risky behaviors will usually stop upon cessation of opium usage

al, 2011, pp.76-78). Dross was shown to be more addictive than regular opium and most users were reported addicts thus, the risky behaviors associated with this population support the idea that dependence and abuse of opium leads to many negative behavioral changes. Opium has a wide array of positive effects on health with acute usage and is commonly used in medicine. Opium has been used for centuries as an analgesic; it also can be used as a muscle relaxant, it reduces muscle tone, which makes it beneficial to treat diarrhea or severe cramps. It also has antitussive properties and is useful in the treatment of server coughs. Opium use has negative side effects as well, which are often associated with chronic usage or toxicity. Toxicity side effects include elevated blood pressure, decreased frequency and shallower breaths, constipation, stomach pain, decreased appetite, urine retention that can cause dehydration and a decreased secretion of many important sex hormones. Chronic effects can include weight loss (cachexia) as a result of the decreased

It was even recommended as a remedy for upset children (Wright, 2001, p. 513). Many disapproved of this worldwide and this lead to the passing of legislation in many countries. For instance, “The Opium Wars”, which were disputes between the Chinese and British about the import and sale of opium in China by the British lead to motions in parliament. These failed to pass but they did lead to a decline in the opium trade that decreased availability. Eventually in 1906 a bill was passed that supported the end of the opium trade for the British and it ended it 1913 (Hart & Ksir, 2013, p.300). Legislation in the US was passed first to control international trade in 1833 and then to tax imports into the US in 1842. Opium use in the US thereafter experienced a demographic shift and imported Chinese workers after the Civil War brought opium smoking with them and it caught on. These new workers were of the lower class so not surprisingly this habit began to spread amongst the lower class and laboring Americans including gamblers and prostitutes (Hart & Ksir, 2013, p.52). Opium dens were still prevalent despite this throughout the 19th century and they even stayed open through World