Which of the following is a common effect of narcotic medications?

Narcotic medications, also known as opioids, are primarily used for their analgesic properties, which means they are effective at relieving pain. These medications work by binding to specific receptors in the brain and spinal cord, significantly altering the perception of pain and reducing the emotional response to it. This mechanism not only helps patients manage acute pain following surgery or injury but also assists in chronic pain conditions.

While narcotics can have other effects, such as sedation or drowsiness, their core and most recognized function is to provide pain relief. This makes option B the correct answer, as it directly aligns with the primary therapeutic use of narcotic medications. The other options do not accurately reflect the common effects associated with narcotics.