Nightflower Poisoning
Nightflower poisoning is a condition characterized by severe narcolepsy, loss of sensation and sense of pain, as well as weakened muscles. Entirely unknown before the discovery of Hikma's Sleep, the sleep inducing oil seems to trigger this condition in a minority of those it is administered to. Particularly afflicting halflings, some are so fearful of the potentially life-altering consequences of nightflower poisoning that they would rather endure surgery awake.
Causes
As this condition is only observed in those who have consumed Hikma's Sleep, it is commonly accepted that the sleep-inducing oil is the cause. Though only affecting a minority of those who it is administered to, it has been noted to affect halflings more than humans, women more than men, and children more than adults. However, in the cases of children developing this condition, it often fades as they grow to adulthood. Many physicians suppose that excessive dosage of the oil is to blame, but find it difficult to balance avoiding nightflower poisoning with the need to induce such deep sleep that surgery is possible without waking the patient. Many physicians also suppose that repeated ingestion of Hikma's sleep would make it more likely that one develops nightflower poisoning, but this has not been shown.
Symptoms
Nightflower poisoning comes in varying levels of severity. At the extreme end, the sufferer loses almost all sense of touch, cannot feel pain as normal, and will fall asleep at random. Paradoxically, they are often also unable to sleep at normal times, and yet do not feel rested when they awaken from their oil-induced slumber. Such individuals will find it difficult to complete any task, and are prone to injuring themselves by accident. Milder cases are also possible, and in many cases those who have been operated on in Houses of the Ill suffer mild versions of these symptoms that they are nevertheless able to work around.
Treatment
There is no cure for nightflower poisoning. Thankfully, the symptoms tend to fade with time, and in particular if the afflicted is a child, they will most likely be free of the affliction in a few years.
Origin
Natural
Rarity
Uncommon
I feel as though, faced with a choice, I would rather risk the poisoning than be awake for surgery... but I can definitely see why others would make a different choice. Yikes.