Health - opium and scheziphrenia

[noob]

i have a friend who is at higher risk of developing scheziphrenia and he was woundering if there is a link between opium use and the desease
he would usauly drink but lately doing so has just aggeitated his pre-existing anxiety disorder so he is on the prowl for a new drug of choice
he started using codiene with no ill effects but finds the drug a little weak for his liking and since he has no way of getting his hands on morphine opium seems to be the next best option....though after hearing some storys of hallucinations his a little weary ....also information with references would be greatly appreciated

thanx

[timster7]

Most drugs increase risk of mental illness. I believe hallucinogens are the worst. Most damage that drugs can do is to developing minds. As long as this friend is over say 25, and uses very moderately, I doubt to much of an increase in risk will occur, IMO. I'm no doctor, just my thoughts.

timster7 added 1 Minutes and 5 Seconds later...

Most drugs increase risk of mental illness. I believe hallucinogens are the worst. Most damage that drugs can do is to developing minds. As long as this friend is over say 25, and uses very moderately, I doubt to much of an increase in risk will occur, IMO. I'm no doctor, just my thoughts. BTW, opium doesn't cause hallucination, its more like dreaming.

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[noob]

how would you compare opiums effect on mental health to say weed or chronic alcohol abuse also wich opiate has the least effect on the psyche if any
any information or link is GREATLY appreciated
thanx

[timster7]

I would say chronic alcohol use is worst, I would follow that with weed (which has been directly linked to mental illness), and the least harmful would be opiates. If you have access to opium or morphine go with that. SWIM might even recommend refining the Morph. from the opium for better control. Morphine works like endorphins in the brain. It has been widely studied and we know more about it than cannabiniods. Alcohol is just terrible for the mind.

[noob]

thanx alot.. this has all been very heplful
two last questions: if SWIY were in SWIM's shoes how would they moderate their intake once a month...2 months ...3 months ect ?
and

Originally Posted by timster7

SWIM might even recommend refining the Morph. from the opium for better control.

did SWIY suggest this as better dose controle or because im not sure but im thinking morphin would have less alkaloids? thus being able to control the amount of potienally harmfull alkaloids ...less would be better it seems
sorry if that doesnt make any sense
again thanks for all your help
cheers

[noob]

does morphine cause the brain to release endorphines.... or is it more like an artificial source of endorphines
im just thinking if its the first of the 2 it might be a bit more of a natural process...hopefully having less negative effects on mental health

[timster7]

I believe it is like an outside source of artificial endo's. It bonds to the same receptors. I believe most problems occur when the brain decreases endorphin production. This can lead to loss of that natural substance-free high from life or depression. Again, moderation is key.