Short answers, pulled from the story.
Morphine was first isolated in December 1804 by German pharmacist Friedrich Sertürner in Paderborn, Germany. This is believed to be the first isolation of a medicinal alkaloid from any plant. Sertürner reported his findings in 1805 and named the substance morphium after Morpheus, the Greek god of dreams.
Morphine is used primarily to treat both acute and chronic severe pain, including pain from heart attacks, kidney stones, and labor. A 2016 Cochrane review confirmed it is effective for cancer pain. At low sustained-release doses, it also significantly reduces breathlessness in patients with advanced cancer or end-stage cardiorespiratory disease. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.
A study published in The Lancet ranked morphine and heroin as the most addictive substances known, ahead of cocaine at number two, nicotine at number three, barbiturates at number four, and ethanol at number five. Some medical experts estimate the relapse rate for morphine users at up to 98%.
Morphine withdrawal proceeds through six stages beginning 6 to 14 hours after the last dose. Early stages bring anxiety, sweating, and drug craving; middle stages add muscle twitches, bone pain, and vomiting; by 36 to 72 hours, weight loss of 2 to 5 kilograms per 24 hours can occur. Major symptoms peak between 48 and 96 hours and subside after about 8 to 12 days. Unlike alcohol or barbiturate withdrawal, morphine withdrawal is not fatal in otherwise healthy individuals.
In 2013, approximately 523 tons of morphine were produced globally. About 45 tons were used directly for pain relief, while roughly 70% went into producing other opioids such as hydromorphone, oxymorphone, and heroin. A 2005 estimate found that six countries (Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States) consumed 79% of the world's morphine supply, while nations representing 80% of the global population shared only about 6%.
Yes. In 2003, researchers confirmed that morphine occurs naturally in the human body. Various human cells, including white blood cells, are capable of synthesizing and releasing it. The body produces morphine through a biosynthetic pathway starting from the amino acid L-tyrosine, running through dopamine and several intermediates, with the final step being the conversion of codeine to morphine by the enzyme CYP2D6.