Opium is a substance derived from the milky sap, or latex, of the unripe seed capsules of the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum. This dark, gummy substance contains a complex mixture of alkaloids, including morphine, codeine, and thebaine, which are responsible for its effects. Historically, opium has been cultivated and used as a traditional medicine for millennia, primarily valued for its analgesic properties. The consumption of this substance has involved diverse methods, ranging from smoking a refined form to swallowing it as a liquid preparation.
Inhaling Opium Through Smoking
The inhalation of opium vapor, commonly called smoking, is a highly refined process that relies on vaporization rather than direct combustion or burning of the substance. The prepared opium is heated to a temperature high enough to turn its active alkaloids into an inhalable vapor. This technique requires specialized equipment, including a distinctive opium pipe and a carefully designed lamp.
The traditional pipe consists of a long stem, often made of bamboo, and a removable ceramic bowl connected by a metal fitting. A small pellet of prepared opium is placed on the pipe-bowl. The smoker holds the opium over a specialized oil lamp, which features a chimney designed to channel a steady stream of heat directly onto the pellet.
This indirect heating causes the opium to bubble and vaporize, allowing the user to inhale the resulting fumes. Absorption via the lungs is extremely fast, as the large surface area of the pulmonary capillaries provides a direct route for the alkaloids to enter the bloodstream. The rapid delivery leads to a quick, intense onset of effects.
Ingesting Opium Orally
Oral ingestion is one of the oldest methods of consuming opium and encompasses several distinct preparations that are absorbed via the digestive system. This includes swallowing raw opium, which is a dark, crude gum that may be consumed alone or mixed with food. The dried latex is sometimes simply rolled into a pill or nugget and swallowed whole.
Another common oral preparation is opium tea, often brewed from parts of the poppy plant other than the refined latex. This “poppy tea” is typically made from dried poppy pods or “poppy straw,” which consists of the crushed stems and seed capsules. These plant materials still contain significant amounts of the alkaloids, which are extracted by steeping them in hot water. The resulting liquid is intensely bitter and is frequently mixed with flavors or acidic agents, such as lemon juice, to improve palatability.
Historically, the most notable form of oral consumption was the opium tincture, known as laudanum. This alcoholic solution of opium was a widely used analgesic and sedative in Western medicine until the early 20th century. A weaker, camphorated opium preparation called paregoric was also used to treat ailments like severe diarrhea.
Preparing Raw Opium for Consumption
The initial step in all forms of opium consumption is the collection of the raw material from the poppy plant. This traditional method involves scoring the unripe seed capsule with a sharp tool, causing a milky-white latex to ooze out. This sap darkens and dries into a sticky, brownish-black gum, which is then scraped off the pod to create raw opium.
Raw opium is often too impure for direct use, particularly for smoking, and must be processed further. To create “prepared opium” suitable for vaporization, the crude gum is subjected to a refinement process involving boiling and filtering. This cooking removes impurities and plant matter, resulting in a more concentrated, smoother product that can be formed into small pellets.
For oral preparations, the method is less involved than creating a smokeable product. Raw opium nuggets are simply dried, while poppy straw for tea is prepared by mechanically drying and crushing the entire plant capsule. This dried, crushed material is a source of alkaloids for use in homemade teas or for industrial extraction.
How Ingestion Method Affects Onset
The method of consumption dictates the speed and nature of the substance’s effects due to differing routes of absorption. Inhaling vaporized opium delivers the alkaloids directly into the vast capillary network of the lungs, allowing them to rapidly enter the systemic circulation. This bypasses the digestive system and the liver’s initial filtering, leading to an almost instantaneous onset of effect, often perceived as an intense initial sensation.
In contrast, oral ingestion results in a significantly slower and more prolonged experience. When swallowed, the alkaloids must first pass through the digestive tract before being absorbed into the bloodstream. Once absorbed, the drug is transported to the liver, where it undergoes substantial first-pass metabolism.
During first-pass metabolism, the liver breaks down a large proportion of the active compounds, particularly morphine, before they can reach the central nervous system. This process means that a larger oral dose is required to achieve the same concentration in the brain compared to an inhaled dose. The resulting effects are delayed, often beginning around 30 minutes after consumption.