What Are Synthetic Opioids?

0:00What are synthetic opioids?

0:04I'm going to tell you.

0:05I'm Dr. Rodriguez from Healing Sky.

0:07I'm also the medical director of the Delray Center for Healing, and today we're going

0:11to talk about what are synthetic opioids.

0:14In an earlier video, we spoke about the naturally occurring or plant-based opioids, which are

0:20morphine and codeine, and they are derived from the poppy seed pods, or the mitragynine

0:27or the 7-hydroxymitragynine derived from the kratom leaf.

0:32Then we also talked about the semi-synthetic opioids, which are chemically modified versions

0:39of the naturally occurring opioids.

0:42Examples of this would be oxycodone, hydrocodone, and even heroin.

0:49And now we talk about the synthetic opioids.

0:52Synthetic opioids are opioids that are not derived in any way, shape, or form from any

0:58naturally occurring plant.

1:00These are the ones that are completely man-made, and they include fentanyl, meparidine, methadone,

1:09and tramadol.

1:12Now some of the issues with the synthetic opioids are that they are extremely potent.

1:19They are very potent, more potent than the naturally occurring ones, which means a smaller

1:24dose of one of these synthetic opioids will have a much stronger effect on the brain than

1:32any naturally occurring opioid or even semi-synthetic ever could.

1:37This is a big reason why the fentanyl is such a problem and why we have such a crisis with

1:43fentanyl causing so many overdoses, because it is so incredibly potent at the mu opiate

1:50receptor.

1:52Other synthetics include nor-fentanyl, which is extremely dangerous, used in veterinary

2:00medicine.

2:01When given to a human, it often results in an overdose.

2:04So these drugs are often manufactured illegally in other countries, and they're imported into

2:11this country.

2:12Some of them are used medically here and are manufactured legally and legitimately and

2:19are given in very precise, very controlled doses to exert the desired effect of pain

2:24relief.

2:25However, when you buy it on the street, it's going to be the version that you get from

2:29a foreign country that is of uncertain purity, of uncertain potency, and can be very, very

2:36dangerous.

2:38This is the biggest reason why we have such a crisis right now, because there's so much

2:45production in foreign countries of these synthetic opioids, and they're being shipped to America,

2:51causing a huge problem.

2:53Also why there's so much death.

2:55There was always death in opiate dependence, especially back in the heroin era.

3:01But since they started manufacturing fentanyl and smuggling it into this country, there

3:06has been so much more overdose death resulting from this.

3:11Again, it's very dangerous.

3:12If you're using these, please seek help.

3:15You can find help here on Healing Sky with one of the providers on Healing Sky.

3:20If you would like my help, you can find me at DelrayCenter.com.

3:25Please like, follow, and subscribe to my content here on Healing Sky so you can learn more

3:29about opioids and other mental health topics.

3:31Also, please look for my podcast launching in the fall of 2026.

3:36Thank you.