Comprehensive Review on Opium: Biochemistry, Environmental Impacts, and Remediation Strategies

Abstract

The opium poppy plant yields opium, which has been used for both medicinal and recreational purposes for ages. However, there are some difficulties associated with its use and cultivation, such as environmental effects and complex biochemistry. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the biochemistry of opium, including its alkaloid composition, pharmacological effects, and processes of addiction. It also explores the negative effects of opium production on the environment, such as contaminated water and soil, habitat degradation, and dwindling biodiversity. Remedial techniques including chemical extraction, microbial degradation, and phytoremediation are covered in detail, with a focus on how well they can reduce environmental opium pollution. The paper also discusses prospects for collaborative research and multidisciplinary solutions, policy implications for regulation and control measures, and the limitations of present research. In tackling the complex issues related to opium cultivation, usage, and environmental contamination, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners can benefit greatly from this review's synthesis of important results and insights.