Dictionary

The term narcotic is often used to describe drugs that produce sedation, relieve pain, and induce sleep. Historically, the term was used to describe any drug derived from opium, such as morphine or codeine, but it has since evolved to include other drugs that have similar effects. In a medical context, a narcotic is sometimes used interchangeably with an opioid, a term that refers explicitly to drugs that bind to the body’s opioid receptors to relieve pain and produce a sense of well-being