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PST

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Subjective Effects
Interactions
Tolerance
Legality
PST molecule structurePST molecule structure
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PST is a herbal infusion made from poppy seeds, pods, or stalks1 that contains opium alkaloids, primarily morphine and codeine. A case of dependence on opium poppy tea infusion has been reported.2 Such preparations originated millennia ago in parts of Europe, the Near East, and Asia. Potency varies substantially between preparations, making dosing unpredictable;3 overdoses associated with this variability have been reported.

Dosage & Duration

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Duration

Onset30-90 minutes
After Effects1-30 hours

Subjective Effects

Subjective Effects not written up yet

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Morphine is a full opioid agonist relatively selective for μ-opioid receptors, although it can bind to other opioid receptors at higher doses.4 This receptor activation occurs in the brain, spinal cord, stomach, and intestine.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption & half-lifenot documented yetMetabolitesnone documented yet

Interactions

Interactions not written up yet

An unlisted combination is an unknown one, not a safe one. Check a dedicated combination chart before mixing.

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Tolerance

Tolerance not written up yet

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

Regular users of poppy seed tea can develop dependence and opioid use disorder.5

Physical

Withdrawal from poppy seed tea can include diarrhea, vomiting, sweating, anxiety, rhinorrhea, agitation, and seizures.

Toxicity

Lethal Dosage

Tea potency varies greatly,5 and many overdoses have been reported in association with inconsistent, unpredictable dosing; excessively large quantities of unwashed seeds, such as multiple pounds, can contain lethal concentrations of morphine. High doses can cause death through hypoventilation or aspiration of vomit, and a 17-year-old died in 2003 from pulmonary edema attributed to acute morphine and codeine intoxication after drinking home-brewed poppy seed tea. A 2010 DOJ alert reported that, according to medical examiners, five adult men ingested poppy tea shortly before their deaths and most also tested positive for other illicit substances,1 and FDA adverse-event reports recorded at least 10 deaths presumed related to poppy tea consumption since 2010.

Respiratory system

Poppy seed tea can cause slowed breathing6 and respiratory depression, with high doses capable of causing fatal hypoventilation or pulmonary aspiration of vomit; fatal pulmonary edema was documented after acute morphine and codeine intoxication from home-brewed poppy seed tea.

Gastrointestinal system

Poppy seed tea can cause mild stomach pain, nausea, and constipation, with adverse effects increasing as dosage rises.

Urinary system

Poppy seed tea can cause urinary retention, with adverse effects increasing as dosage rises.

Seizure Risk

Seizures can occur during withdrawal from poppy seed tea.

History & Culture

Poppy tea preparations originated millennia ago in parts of Central and Eastern Europe, the Levant and Near East, and Central and South Central Asia. Poppy tea appeared in both Asian and Western literature7, including depictions of its availability in opium…

Legality

Legality not written up yet

References

Citations

  1. Opium Tea — EWS Report 000002. U.S. Department of Justice, National Drug Intelligence Center (2010). https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs40/40404/sw-Opium_Tea.pdf12
  2. Poppy tea dependence. The British Journal of Psychiatry (1993). https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.163.6.8131
  3. Extended-release buprenorphine in adults with opioid use disorder involving poppy seed tea: An 18-month retrospective case series. The American Journal on Addictions (2026). https://doi.org/10.1111/ajad.701871
  4. EMBEDA (morphine sulfate and naltrexone hydrochloride) extended-release capsules: Prescribing Information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2016). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/022321s022lbl.pdf1
  5. Poppy Seed Tea: A Short Review and Case Study. Pain and Therapy (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40122-019-0113-512
  6. Poppy seed tea: Beneficial or dangerous?. Mayo Clinic (2024). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/drug-addiction/expert-answers/poppy-seed-tea/faq-205599071
  7. A case of poppy tea dependence in an octogenarian lady. Drug and Alcohol Review (2009). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1465-3362.2009.00134.x1

Further Reading

  1. Devereaux et al. 2018 - DARK Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Morphine

Article Status

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