Historical aspects of opioid spread worldwide. A compilation of scientific data from ukrainian and international literature

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26641/1997-9665.2025.3.202-210

Keywords:

narcotic substances, opioid analgesics, opiate neurotransmitter system, effects of opioids on organs and systems.

Abstract

The human body today is constantly influenced by a number of factors that enter from the external environment, in particular opioids. Their impact on the body is extremely wide and diverse - from therapeutic to pathological. With constant exposure, they stimulate the development of metabolic shifts, which subsequently leads to varying degrees of severity of pathomorphological changes in tissues, organs and systems of the body. Scientific data from modern scientific literature indicate that often the effect of opioids on the body depends not only on the factor of its influence, but also on its dose, duration and route of administration. In the last decade, based on world statistics, opioids have occupied a large space in human life, both in the form of pharmaceutical industry drugs used for therapeutic purposes and among a certain contingent of people who use drugs of this group without medical prescription. The above indicates the presence of a number of unresolved problems related to the adequate selection of the most effective opioid analgesic for pain relief, its dose, frequency, and duration of use without the occurrence of side effects in medical practice. The aim of this study was to analyze existing information regarding the use of opioid drugs in different parts of the planet and identifying their impact and the development of negative social behavior in society, with the subsequent development of unfavorable criminogenic behavior. To achieve this goal, we have processed available sources of domestic and global scientific medical literature. Results. It is currently believed that narcotic drugs, including opiates, affect mental and physiological functions through interaction with specific receptors that are normally activated and inhibited by neurotransmitters and neuromodulators. The effects of psychoactive substances may also be related to their influence on the synthesis, release, reuptake, and metabolism of neurotransmitters. In particular, the most important results of drug use: euphoria and craving for drug intoxication - are caused by the activation of brain structures that are centers of positive emotions and determine the formation of motivational systems in most people, usually neuroadaptation occurs. Under the influence of narcotic substances, a behavioral system is formed, directed towards the repetition of the euphoric effect, neuroadaptation disrupts brain function and ultimately leads to a person's transition from controlled, periodic use of psychoactive substances to chronic intake, which is difficult to control. Conclusion. Summarizing the scientific literature, a number of existing unresolved problems have been identified regarding the adequate selection of the most effective opioid analgesic for pain relief, determination of dosage, frequency, duration of use and combination with other medications without side effects when used in medical practice in various clinical scenarios.

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2025-10-30

How to Cite

Paltov , Y., Chelpanova , I., Pankevych , L., & Goleiko , M. (2025). Historical aspects of opioid spread worldwide. A compilation of scientific data from ukrainian and international literature. Морфологія / Morphologia / Morfologìâ, 19(3), 202–210. https://doi.org/10.26641/1997-9665.2025.3.202-210

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Vol. 19 No. 3 (2025)

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