A medicine that diminishes sensibility to pain. See: ANALGESICS. Deep-acting narcotics are not used in phytotherapy.
A substance that depresses central nervous system function, bringing sleep and lessening pain. By definition, narcotics can be toxic in excess.
A drug that induces sleep
n. a drug that induces stupor and insensibility and relieves pain. Now largely obsolete in medical contexts, the term was used particularly for morphine and other derivatives of opium (see opiate) but also referred to other drugs that depress brain function (e.g. general anaesthetics and hypnotics). In legal terms a narcotic is any addictive drug subject to illegal use.
a substance which induces sleep; intoxicating or poisonous in large doses.
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