Interesting Facts about Heroin

One of the most dangerously addictive drugs on the planet is the drug known as heroin. The use of heroin can be lethal and is unfortunately a rising epidemic. As a derivative of morphine, it is the fastest-acting opiate drug.

Here are some more interesting facts about Heroin. These facts should give folks plenty of reasons to avoid such a dangerous drug.

Being “on the nod”
A sense of euphoria occurs when heroin first enters the brain. This rush is preceded by a period or state where users sort of alternate between drowsiness and wakefulness for several hours. This is known as the being “on the nod.”

Heroin is essentially a sedative. Because of this, it can leave a person in such a deep state of sleep that the user can’t even be shaken awake. “On the nod” is not only extremely dangerous but the top of a very slippery slope that only ends in overdosing.

The Tell-Tell Itch
Severe itchiness is a very common side effect. Why? Well, Opiates can effect histamines (the body produces histamines during allergic reactions) causing them to be released. Histamines can irritate the skin resulting in itchiness.

Over The Counter Heroin
The Bayer Company of Germany introduced it in 1898 for medical use. While attempting to create a safer pain reliever, as a substitute for morphine, a Bayer chemist accidentally synthesized diacetylmorphine.
He called it heroin. He thought this diluted form of morphine would be less addictive with fewer side effects. Over the counter items, such as cough syrups and infant colic remedies, contained heroin soon after.

It didn’t take long to realize that heroin was 3x more potent than morphine. Physicians quickly recognized that the drug was way more addictive as well.

Opiate Addicted Babies
Babies who have been exposed to heroin in the womb can arrive physically addicted to it.
Once born, the baby no longer has that drug supply which it is now dependent on. The infant then shows signs of withdrawal. This is what doctors call neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)

No Safe Way to Use
Though this drug can be used many ways, people may falsely assume that one way is less harmful or safer that the others. Smoking, snorting, or ingesting, send the heroin straight to the brain. All forms of use are equally addictive putting the user at a severely high risk for overdosing.

Overdosing Is Only One Risk
Overdosing is undoubtedly a major hazard existing with heroin use, however other serious health problems can transpire. Users are more prone to HIV, infection of the liver, lungs, and heart. A lot people don’t know these facts about heroin but should.

Withdrawal after Just One Use
It’s such a powerful and addictive drug that the first use can cause withdrawal symptoms. Heroin withdrawal is often very severe. There’s nausea, aches, vomiting, cold flashes, and insomnia. Professional help is needed when a user is ready to stop using because of how brutal these symptoms can get.

Shades of Heroin
Heroin is usually cut with other substances, which can also be rather dangerous. It can be in different forms and colors, such as grey, black, or brown. Street heroine is generally inconsistent, which increases the number of deaths by overdose. White is the purest kind of heroin. It’s the cleanest most potent and most addictive.

Hopefully you found these facts about heroin eye-opening.