Overview

Poppy seeds, which are commonly added to baked goods and pastries, come from the opium poppy plant. This plant is a source of opiates, such as morphine and heroin. Although the seeds do not naturally contain opiates, they can become coated with opiates from another part of the poppy plant. Some people use poppy seeds as a source of opiates by making poppy seed “tea.” But the opiate levels in these teas may be high enough to cause an overdose, coma, and even death. Before eating large amounts of poppy seeds or drinking poppy seed “tea,” make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking.

Uses

What is poppy seed used for?

Poppy seeds are commonly used as an ingredient in baked goods and pastries.

Poppy seeds are also sometimes used to ease pain and anxiety or to feel “high.” But their benefits for these uses are not well defined, and some products have caused serious side effects.

Note: The FDA regulates poppy seed as a food. Learn more about the regulation of foods here.

How does poppy seed work (mechanism of action)?

Poppy seeds, which are commonly used in baked goods, are the seeds of the opium poppy plant (Papaver somniferum). As the name suggests, the opium poppy is a source of opiates, such as codeine, morphine, and heroin. The opium poppy should not be confused with the California poppy, which does not contain opiates.

Poppy seeds do not naturally contain any opiates. However, they may be coated with large amounts of opiates from another part of the poppy plant. To reduce the amount of opiates in or on poppy seeds, they must be washed and processed properly. Since opium poppies are not legal in the U.S., all poppy seeds that are sold in the U.S. come from other countries. There are currently no standard requirements for washing, processing, or testing of poppy seeds.

Many batches of poppy seeds have been found to be coated with high levels of opiates. This has led some people to use poppy seeds specifically for their opiate content. In most cases, this is done by soaking large amounts of unwashed poppy seeds in a cold liquid to make a poppy seed “tea.” The opiates are transferred from the poppy seeds into the liquid, which is then consumed. But the high levels of opiates in some of these drinks can be dangerous. They have caused serious health problems, including opioid overdose, coma, and even death. See the Side Effects section to learn more.

How should I store poppy seeds?

You should store poppy seeds as directed on the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of poppy seeds?

When used as a food ingredient or topping, poppy seeds are well tolerated. But soaking large amounts of poppy seeds in fluid to make a poppy seed “tea” can cause serious side effects. See below for more information.

There may be other side effects of poppy seeds that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of poppy seeds?

While less common, the most serious side effects of poppy seeds are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Poppy seeds may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking poppy seeds and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

• Breathing problems or wheezing
• Racing heart
• Fever or general ill feeling
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
• Itching or skin rash
• Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
• Stomach cramps
• Joint pain

Opioid Overdose. Poppy seeds may be contaminated with opiates. Large doses of opiates can cause an opioid overdose, leading to slow or shallow breathing, coma, or even death. When you eat baked goods that have poppy seeds, the opiate level is too low to cause this concern. But when poppy seeds are soaked in liquid to make a “tea,” opiate levels may be high enough to cause serious health problems. Get emergency help if you or someone you know has any of the following symptoms.

• Changes in the color of your skin, including a bluish color to your lips and fingernails
• Confusion
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or fainting
• Changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast, slow, pounding, or skipping heartbeat
• Slow or shallow breathing
• Excessive sleepiness or trouble staying awake

Precautions

Who should not use poppy seeds?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take poppy seeds.

• Poppy seeds
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific poppy seed products they stock.

Drug Interactions.Poppy seed “tea” may contain high levels of opiates and should not be used while you are using certain other medicines. When poppy seeds are eaten on baked goods, the opiate level is too low to cause this concern. Before taking poppy seed “tea,” tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Breathing Problems.Poppy seed “tea” may contain high levels of opiates and should not be used if you have severe asthma, trouble breathing, or other lung problems. When poppy seeds are eaten on baked goods, the opiate level is too low to cause this concern.

What should I know about poppy seed before using it?

Poppy seeds are available for use as a food ingredient or topping. These products cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Some dietary supplements may contain “poppy seeds” or “poppy extracts.” But these products are made from the California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), a plant that contains chemicals that are very different from those in the opium poppy. The effects and side effects of these supplements differ from those of poppy seeds that are used as a food ingredient or topping.

Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep poppy seeds out of the reach of children.

Poppy seeds may be contaminated with opiates that are found in other parts of the poppy plant. These levels may vary depending on the time of year that the seeds were harvested and the way they were processed after harvesting.

In some cases, poppy seeds can cause a urine drug test for heroin, morphine, or other opiates to come back positive. Although most products do not contain enough opiates to cause a positive drug screen, some people have tested positive for up to 48 hours after eating poppy seeds on pastries or other baked goods. Talk to your health care provider if you have concerns.

Opiates are prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for use by athletes. If you are concerned about the risks of a positive drug screen, it may be best to avoid poppy seeds entirely. Learn more about the WADA Prohibited List here.

Some people make “tea” from unwashed poppy seeds by soaking large amounts of the seeds in cold fluid. Since the seeds are unwashed and large amounts are used, these “teas” may contain high enough levels of opiates to cause effects and side effects. In some cases, these teas have caused serious health problems and even death. It is best to avoid these products entirely.

The opiates in products that contain large amounts of poppy seeds, including poppy seed “teas,” can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how poppy seed “tea” affects you. People who are 65 or older may be at greater risk for these side effects.

What should I tell my health care provider before using poppy seed?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if poppy seed is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions.Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following before using poppy seeds as a source of opiates.

• Alcohol use disorder
• History of misusing prescription medicines or street drugs, including opioids
• Lung or breathing problems
• Mental health problems

Pregnancy. Poppy seeds may be contaminated with opiates, such as morphine, which can harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. When poppy seeds are eaten on baked goods, the opiate level is too low to cause concern. But you should avoid drinking poppy seed “teas” while you are pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Poppy seeds may be contaminated with opiates, such as morphine, which pass into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. When poppy seeds are eaten on baked goods, the opiate level is too low to cause concern. But you should avoid drinking poppy seed “teas” while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does poppy seed interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between poppy seeds and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect poppy seeds. But poppy seeds may be contaminated with opiates, and poppy seed “teas” may contain very high levels of opiates. Alcohol can increase the risk of confusion, drowsiness, and breathing problems when combined with opiates.

Does poppy seed interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking large amounts of poppy seeds or poppy seed “tea.”

• Any medicine that causes dizziness and sleepiness, such as prescription pain medicines, sleep medicines, and medicines for anxiety
• A benzodiazepine, such as clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium and others), or lorazepam (Ativan and others), which is a medicine used for anxiety, muscle spasms, or seizures
• A mixed agonist/antagonist or partial agonist opioid analgesic, such as buprenorphine (Butrans, Sublocade), butorphanol, and others, which is used to treat certain types of pain or opioid use disorder
• A muscle relaxant, such as carisoprodol (Soma), cyclobenzaprine, or tizanidine (Zanaflex)
• An opioid, such as codeine, fentanyl, morphine, oxycodone, or tramadol, which is a medicine used to treat certain types of pain
• A nonprescription opioid, such as heroin or kratom

The interactions between poppy seeds and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with poppy seed is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking poppy seeds with any medicines.

Dosing

What should I do if I accidentally use too much poppy seed?

If you or someone else has used too much poppy seed, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Poppy seeds are often added to baked goods and are generally safe to eat in moderation. But some people soak poppy seeds in liquid to make a “tea” that may contain high amounts of opiates. These “teas” can cause serious side effects and even death. It is best to avoid the use of poppy seed “teas” entirely.