Home > Encyclopedia of Children's Health > Narcotic Drugs

Definition

Narcotics are addictive drugs that reduce the user's perception of pain and induce euphoria (a feeling of exaggerated and unrealistic well-being). The English word narcotic is derived from the Greek narkotikos, which means "numbing" or "deadening." Although the term can refer to any drug that deadens sensation or produces stupor, it is commonly applied to the opioids—that is, to all natural or synthetic drugs that act like morphine.

Description

Historical background

Narcotics are the oldest as well as the strongest analgesics, or pain-relieving drugs, known...