Medical professionals began using morphine to treat pain some 150 years ago, in the mid-1800s. But while doctors and patients alike have always understood its effectuality, controversy has surrounded this potent drug.
Today, morphine is commonly used to ease the passage of those nearing the end of life, but some wonder whether the drug actually unnecessarily speeds up the dying process. Finally, medical researchers have the answer to this important question.
What Is Morphine?
Morphine is an opioid-based medicine specifically developed to safely and efficiently relieve extreme pain. It is incredibly powerful and is only prescribed by doctors when other forms of pain relief have not been successful in managing a patient’s discomfort.
Additionally, morphine is not only extremely addictive, as are all opioids, but it’s also dangerously easy to take enough to overdose. In fact, anywhere between 60 and 200 milligrams of morphine could kill you instantly.
Morphine Is Used by Doctors All Over the World
As this information is public knowledge, many people wonder if morphine is ever safe to take. However, it is quite commonly used in hospitals in the US and all around the world.
Doctors often utilize morphine for patients who recently underwent surgery, are living with cancer, those experiencing a challenging labor, or are in a wide variety of other situations that elicit an immense amount of pain.
Medical Professionals Understand the Dangers of Morphine
That being said, it’s important to understand that medical professionals are very aware of the dangers of morphine and are sure to only administer the smallest amounts to those patients who desperately need relief.
The vast majority of medical professionals agree that, with the proper dosage, morphine is not scary at all. It’s actually extremely helpful, especially for those nearing death.
Why Is Morphine Administered to Those Nearing Death?
When death approaches, most patients experience similar symptoms, even if they have different ailments. For example, most people experience physical pain, nausea, and general discomfort, as well as struggle to breathe during their final moments on Earth.
Therefore, many doctors administer small doses of morphine to help combat these symptoms and ensure the transition from life to death is as painless as possible. But there have been rumors that morphine actually cuts a dying patient’s life short.
How Does Morphine Work?
In order to answer the question as to whether morphine speeds up the dying process, it’s first crucial to understand exactly how this medicine works.
Morphine works within the central nervous system and the brain in order to block pain signals from traveling to the rest of the body. It also reduces the anxiety and stress caused by physical pain.
Morphine Can Help a Dying Patient Pass Away Peacefully
Additionally, Elisabeth Smith, the Hospice of the Chesapeake’s Director of Education and Emergency Management, explained, “Morphine opens the blood vessels, allowing more blood circulation within the respiratory system.”
“This makes it easier for the lungs to get the bad gases out and the good gases in. The patient becomes calm; their breathing slows down.”
Morphine Does Not Speed Up the Dying Process
Clearly, morphine can ease a person’s passage from this life to whatever comes next, but none of this information answers the question of whether or not morphine speeds up the dying process.
Fortunately, thanks to several studies, medical researchers have proven that there is absolutely no evidence to support the theory that morphine speeds up the dying process when administered properly.
Morphine Can Make It Seem Like a Patient Dies More Quickly
The main reason why many people believe that morphine shortens a dying patient’s life is because the drug can allow that person to pass peacefully.
When watching someone struggle with their last breaths, it’s easy to believe it is their time to go. However, when someone passes without pain, at peace, and sometimes even speaking clearly, it makes it seem as though they’ve gone too soon.
Morphine Can Make Dying Patients Less Cognitive
On the other hand, one of the other reasons why this rumor that morphine quickens death became so widespread is because the drug can make patients lose consciousness or seem less cognitive quite quickly.
The powerful medicine can make patients confused, drowsy, and disoriented shortly before death comes, which can make it seem as though the patient is getting worse and be quite painful for their loved ones to witness.
Giving Morphine May Be One of the Kindest Things You Can Do for Your Loved One
However, it’s important to understand that while the dying patient may seem confused, they are certainly in less pain than they would be without the morphine.
In other words, administering morphine to a dying person is often far more difficult for their family and friends than it is for the patient. Some say allowing the doctor to give a small dose of morphine is the kindest thing you can do for your dying loved one.
No One Can Tell You if Morphine Is Right for You or Your Loved One
Although most medical professionals believe wholeheartedly in the benefits of morphine for the dying, there is certainly debate as to whether every patient should be given this wildly forceful drug.
At the end of the day, only the patient, their loved ones, and their trusted doctor or nurse can decide if morphine is the right option. But at least now you know that morphine will not quicken anyone’s death.
