What is the difference between an opiate and a hallucinogen?

Answer 1

The poppy plant creates opiates. Opiates are labeled “natural” because nature creates the active ingredient molecules. Common opiates include opium, morphine, and codeine, both made directly from poppy plants.

An opioid is a substance (molecule) that is synthetic or partly synthetic. This means the active ingredients are created chemically. Opioids act just like opiates in the human body, because of their similar molecules. Common opioids are OxyContin, hydrocodone, fentanyl, and others.

Opiate – narcotic analgesic derived from the opium poppy (natural)

Opioid – narcotic analgesic that is at least part synthetic, not found in nature.

Answer 2

Sorta. Opiates are alkaloids from the opium poppy and their derivatives, while opioids are just any chemical which acts on the opioid receptors in the body. So while all opiates are opioids, not all opioids are opiates. For example endorphins, which your body produces, are not opiates (not derived from opium poppy alkaloids) but are opioids (act on opioid receptors).

Answer 3

Opium is the dried latex from the scored seed pod of the opium poppy. It is a complex mixture of chemicals which contains morphine, codeine, and many other substances. Opioid refers to any substance which acts as an opioid receptor agonist. Opioids can be semi-synthetic, synthetic, or natural products. Typically, opioid refers to a pure substance, such as oxycodone or methadone. In a strict sense, opiate should only be used to refer to narcotics derived from the opium poppy, such as morphine.

Answer 4

Narcotics are drugs that help to reduce pain and can alter behavior; opioids are used to help manage pain. In others words, they're one and the same.

Answer 5

Opium is a plant and opiate is the drug substance in it.