An opiate is a drug that can suppress the perception of
pain and calm a person's emotional response to pain by reducing the effect of
pain signals sent by the nervous system. Opiates (also called opioids or narcotics) produce
a feeling of well-being (euphoria) and cause mood changes, cloudy thinking, and
deep sleep.
Side effects of opiates may include constipation and nausea.
Frequent use of opiates may make a person dependent on them.
Commonly prescribed legal opiates include codeine and morphine.
Opium is an example of an illegal opiate.