Top neurosurgeon Dr Chirag Patel suspended over sexual relationship with patient: ‘I was afraid if she…’UK neurosurgeon Dr Chirag Patel has been suspended for 8 months over a sexual relationship with a patient and prescribing her addictive meds. Published on: May 27
From a starry new adaptation of the classic thriller to the return of the spectacular Game of Thrones prequel – and a sketch series about US history created by Larry David. Mindy Kaling has been behind the scenes more than she has been on screen lately
Scores head to Bangladesh border amid Bengal’s migrant crackdownChief minister Suvendu Adhikari said those found to be Bangladeshi nationals should leave the country voluntarily. Updated on: May 27, 2026 7:19 AM IST By Joydeep Thakur Share via Copy link Scores of people identified by authorities
Google techie with ₹80 LPA rejected by Indian startup over college CGPAA techie earning ₹80 LPA spoke with Hindustantimes.com after an Indian startup rejected him on WhatsApp over an old college CGPA. Published on: May 27, 2026 6:47 AM IST By Trisha Sengupta Share via Copy link An Indian
'Special exam for students who skip paper on Eid': DU tells court after Muslim student's pleaA petition was filed by a fourth-semester law student challenging Delhi University’s decision to hold examinations on Eid. Updated on: May 27, 2026 7:46 AM IST By Shruti Kakkar
Doctor explains why poppy seed muffins can lead to positive drug screens
Did you know poppy seed muffins can lead to testing positive in drug screens? Maryland doctor explains
Did you know poppy seed muffins can lead to testing positive in drug screens? Maryland doctor explains
If a person is testing positive in drug tests after consuming poppy seeds, the problem lies with the test being oversensitive, shares Dr Kunal Sood.
Published on: Mar 09, 2026 12:13 PM IST By Debapriya Bhattacharya Share via Copy link Drug testing has become increasingly commonplace across various professional institutions. However, the accuracy of the results and the validity of the tests remain open to question. Poppy seed muffins can show positive results in sensitive drug screens. (Pinterest) Also Read | Can basic skin care products present cancer risk? Raipur oncologist with 25 years experience explains Taking to Instagram on March 8, Dr Kunal Sood, a Maryland-based physician in Anesthesiology and Interventional Pain Medicine, explained how even an apparently harmless breakfast like poppy seed muffins can result in positive results in drug screens. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kunal Sood, MD (@doctorsoood)Poppy is the source of opium
Dr Sood stated that poppy seeds come from the opium poppy, which, as the name suggests, produces opium, a powerful narcotic. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) website, the derivatives of opium include morphine, codeine, heroin, and oxycodone. Getting a positive result in a drug test after the consumption of poppy seeds is more common than people realise, noted the physician. This is because during harvesting, poppy seeds can become coated with small amounts of morphine and codeine from the plant's latex. “The seeds themselves don't produce opioids,” highlighted Dr Sood. “It is surface contamination.”Trouble with modern drug tests
The issue with testing positive for narcotics after the consumption of poppy seeds lies with the modern drug screens themselves. According to Dr Sood, such tests are “extremely sensitive” to morphine and other similar compounds. As such, even the trace amounts of the substance ingested with poppy seed foods can cross the testing threshold and trigger a positive result. Studies show opiates from poppy seeds can be detectable in urine for up to 24 to 48 hours, depending on the amount consumed and the cutoff level used by the lab conducting the test, noted Dr Sood. However, the good news is that despite testing positive, eating poppy seed muffins does not cause intoxication at all, as the opium level is far too low. The issue lies not with the person being screened but with the sensitivity of the test itself, as it cannot distinguish between medication, illicit use or dietary exposure without further confirmatory testing. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition. This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Debapriya Bhattacharya Debapriya Bhattacharya is a Content Producer at Hindustan Times. He started his career in 2022, working in newsrooms in beats like education, US news, trending stories, and entertainment. In his new role in the lifestyle desk, he seeks to deliver a balanced blend of research-driven reporting and creative storytelling from health and recipes to art and culture. Science, philosophy, food and pop culture are what pump his veins and help bring heart to his stories. Debapriya tries to see out subjects that will allow him and readers to explore new frontiers and improve the quality of life for all. The explorations can be both external and internal, as thoughts seek to be as chaotic as the greater universe. As a citizen of the world, Debapriya has been fascinated by the lives of people across the globe throughout time. His curiosity leads him to explore new linguistic and cultural landscapes to broaden his horizons and deepen his understanding of global narratives. Beyond the newsroom, Debapriya loves to participate in debate and theatre, spaces that he considers to be holy grounds for nuance and self-expression. A graduate from Ashutosh College, University of Calcutta, Debapriya completed his Master's degree from the same university in 2022. An ambiverted bibliophile, he loves his solitude as much as he adores stimulating conversations. And despite his reverence for tech, libraries continue to be his favourite place for research.Read More Drug Test Health Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crick-it, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Quizzes, Polls & much more. Explore now!.Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Taylor Swift, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs. News / Lifestyle / Health / Did You Know Poppy Seed Muffins Can Lead To Testing Positive In Drug Screens? Maryland Doctor Explains See Less
Drug testing has become increasingly commonplace across various professional institutions. However, the accuracy of the results and the validity of the tests remain open to question.
Also Read | Can basic skin care products present cancer risk? Raipur oncologist with 25 years experience explains
Taking to Instagram on March 8, Dr Kunal Sood, a Maryland-based physician in Anesthesiology and Interventional Pain Medicine, explained how even an apparently harmless breakfast like poppy seed muffins can result in positive results in drug screens.
Getting a positive result in a drug test after the consumption of poppy seeds is more common than people realise, noted the physician. This is because during harvesting, poppy seeds can become coated with small amounts of morphine and codeine from the plant's latex.
“The seeds themselves don't produce opioids,” highlighted Dr Sood. “It is surface contamination.”
As such, even the trace amounts of the substance ingested with poppy seed foods can cross the testing threshold and trigger a positive result.
Studies show opiates from poppy seeds can be detectable in urine for up to 24 to 48 hours, depending on the amount consumed and the cutoff level used by the lab conducting the test, noted Dr Sood.
However, the good news is that despite testing positive, eating poppy seed muffins does not cause intoxication at all, as the opium level is far too low. The issue lies not with the person being screened but with the sensitivity of the test itself, as it cannot distinguish between medication, illicit use or dietary exposure without further confirmatory testing.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.
Source: HindustanTimes
Related Posts: CBSE Class 11 Security Forces Destroy 306 Acres Of Illegal Poppy Fields In Manipur Poppy cultivation on 8 acres destroyed 3-Month CAT 2025 Preparation Plan Looking For An Education Loan Explained Siri’s Big Upgrade YouTube Now Offers AI-Powered Search Feature For More Users But Not In India Independence Day 2025 Bank Of Maharashtra Is Hiring For 500 Generalist Officer Posts
An ethical hacker who just won major prizes at a prestigious international competition says her days of competing could be numbered due to the rise of AI tools like Claude Mythos. Valentina Palmiotti - better known as Chompie - was the most successful individual at the annual Pwn2Own hacking
57 minutes ago
The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has announced the second phase of its “Karmayogi Housing Scheme-2025” in Narela, offering 1,522 newly built flats for government employees and pensioners. Online booking for the flats will begin on June 1 at 12 noon on a first-come, first-served basis
57 minutes ago
Mackenzie Shirilla’s chilling jail nickname revealed by ex-girlfriend after fatal crash case; ‘she’s not a good person'Mackenzie Shirilla’s former prison girlfriend says the convicted Ohio woman joked about a chilling nickname behind bars. May 27, 2026
57 minutes ago
Manchester City are leading the race to sign Elliot Anderson, with the Nottingham Forest midfielder leaning towards a move to Etihad Stadium instead of rivals Manchester United. There is a growing expectation Anderson will leave the City Ground this summer
57 minutes ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.I’ve covered home appliances for years, and here’s why convertible refrigerators are trendingAfter analysing kitchen trends, I’ve found that standard refrigerators no longer fit
57 minutes ago
Here’s why Ranveer Singh refused to meet FWICE officials to resolve Don 3 disputeFWICE chief advisor Ashoke Pandit maintained that Ranveer Singh must sit down with Farhan Akhtar to resolve the dispute surrounding Don 3. May 27, 2026, 07:23:36 IST Written by Sugandha Rawal Share via Copy link The
57 minutes ago
At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opens at 95.43 against the US dollar, down 17 paise from its previous close. The Indian rupee on Tuesday declined 17 paise to 95.43 per US dollar in the opening trade, as fresh US strikes in the Middle East dent optimism over an imminent peace
56 minutes ago
NASA has unveiled a $20 billion plan to establish a permanent moon base, with three missions scheduled for this year to deliver equipment and test technologies. The agency aims to land astronauts in 2028, marking humanity's first outpost on another celestial world
58 minutes ago
On May 26, 2014, Modi took charge as India's Prime Minister with landslide victory. He got re-elected with a bigger mandate in 2019 and again became the prime minister for the 3rd time in 2024. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi completed 12 years in office on Tuesday with the ruling BJP and
57 minutes ago
From Punjab to West Bengal, leaders of major Opposition parties such as the Samajwadi Party, the Trinamool Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party have voiced support for the Cockroach Janta Party over the past week. The satirical political campaign has gone viral
56 minutes ago
BENGALURU, May 27 (Reuters) - Global companies expect AI to accelerate the creation of new products and intellectual property at their Indian technology hubs, underlining the country's growing role as an innovation base even as the futuristic technology reshapes work
56 minutes ago
MP woman sits with 42-year-old fashion designer son's corpse for 5 days, praying for his revivalPolice said a milkman went to deliver milk and reported a foul odour and seeping blood, leading to the discovery of the body five days after the man died Updated on: May 26
1 days ago
There are few ingredients as deeply tied to Indian summers as the mango. Whether eaten chilled straight from the refrigerator, folded into creamy desserts or blended into festive family recipes, mangoes occupy a space that feels equal parts nostalgic and indulgent
1 days ago
Think tanning and pigmentation are the same? Experts decode the crucial differences between the twoTanning and pigmentation are often used interchangeably, but there’s quite a difference between the two. Experts decode the difference. Published on: May 26
1 days ago
‘Don’t visit Sikkim if you litter’: Anand Mahindra sparks civic sense debateAnand Mahindra’s X post on littering in Sikkim has gone viral, sparking debate on civic responsibility and tourist behaviour. Updated on: May 26, 2026 4:46 PM IST By Vaishali Kapila Share via Copy link Industrialist
1 days ago
In February 2025, Bybit’s authorised signers approved what appeared to be a routine internal transfer from cold storage. They were using hardware wallets, multisig protection, and the operational protocols considered industry best practice. The transaction they signed was not the one displayed on
1 days ago
South Korean seven-piece BTS have won artist of the year at the American Music Awards (AMAs) for the second consecutive year, cementing their status as one of the world's biggest bands. The award, considered the ceremony's grand prize, is just the latest crown jewel for the so-called kings of K-pop
1 days ago
China and Pakistan have reached a "new broad consensus" on deepening strategic ties to beef up development of a joint economic corridor and establish the port of Gwadar as a regional connectivity hub, the neighbours said on Tuesday (May 26, 2026)
1 days ago
The First Class of AI Natives Is Graduating. Offices Are Getting Ready.They face cuts to entry-level jobs. They’re also highly sought after for their AI skills. Updated on: May 26, 2026 3:56 PM IST WSJ Share via Copy link Emma Kanjorski doesn’t consider herself an advanced AI user—at least
1 days ago
Four All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MLAs have resigned from the Tamil Nadu Assembly over two days, with three of them joining the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, The Hindu reported. Three of them, Maragatham Kumaravel, the MLA from Madurantakam
1 days ago
Chinese authorities have executed a man for murdering his associate, billionaire gaming tycoon Lin Qi. In 2020, a disgruntled Xu Yao poisoned Lin for sidelining him shortly after he helped him land a Netflix deal, local media reported. Lin's Yoozoo Games holds the film adaptation rights for the
1 days ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Backpacking across Europe? A solo traveller and content creator suggests the perfect packing listA solo traveller shares the smartest Europe backpacking essentials
1 days ago
One Systems, the parent company of Mobikwik, has received in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for a Payment Aggregator-Physical (PA-P) licence, allowing the fintech firm to push into offline across India.The approval comes a month after the company secured a from the RBI
1 days ago
"You can't beat that!" Djokovic challenges world no. 1 Sabalenka to a clay-court dance battleTennis star Novak Djokovic revived his victory dance and challenged world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to continue their playful dance-off ritual Published on: May 26
1 days ago
PM Modi to visit Australia in ‘near future’: Australian foreign minister Penny WongWong said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had announced that Modi would visit Australia in the “near future”. Updated on: May 26, 2026 4:46 PM IST By HT News Desk Share via Copy link Prime Minister
1 days ago
Woman shows ladoos melting in Delhi heat, says ‘Inki abh barfi banegi’A viral video showing boxes of ladoos turning into a soft mess has left the internet amused, as people react with memes and relatable summer experiences. Updated on: May 26
1 days ago
Martha Mitchell was a flamboyant Washington DC socialite whose husband was embroiled in the Watergate scandal. Her shocking claims of a violent abduction and a "dirty business" were ridiculed as delusional – until they turned out to be true. Martha Mitchell was a character; everyone agreed on
1 days ago
