1 Examples are morphine and heroin. 2  Worldwide, an estimated 69 000 people die from opioid overdose each year.  There are an estimated 15 million people who suffer from opioid dependence (i.e. an addiction to opioids).
Berberine is a natural alkaloid found in a wide variety of traditional herbs including goldenseal, barberry and Oregon grape. Many herbalists credit this unique alkaloid for the benefits of ancient herbal tonics used by native populations throughout the world.
These mechanisms have been linked with weight loss, healthier blood glucose levels, and other benefits. One of the interesting qualities of berberine is its low bioavailability. In lab testing on rats, berberine has been shown to have bioavailability as low as 5%. However, even with that low absorption rate, the effects of berberine are still noticeable on most users.