Heroin Research Paper

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Heroin is classified as an opioid, which is derived from the poppy. Opioids are drugs that attach to opioid receptors found in the body and lessen pain. Opium is created from removing sap from the pod of the flower, then converted into morphine, which can be turned into different types of heroin. It takes on the appearance of white or brown powder, or sometimes a black tar-like substance, hence the name black tar heroin. Heroin can be taken in various ways-- smoked, snorted, injected, and even drank. If repeatedly used, it can weaken the immune system, damage major organs, and cause death, as overdosing on heroin is fatal without treatment.

When taken, heroin turns into morphine and binds to receptors. Normally, neurotransmitters will bind to the receptors, and release dopamine. Dopamine is responsible for sensations of pleasure, along with serotonin, endorphins, and oxytocin. Since the amount of dopamine in heroin is higher than the amount of dopamine normally released by your body, after the high, there is a sudden change in the level of dopamine- from abnormally high to “low,” which is actually …show more content…
Later, because heroin is an opioid, it can also numb the body, which can potentially be dangerous, as the user can become severely injured while high, but not know it. It numbs the body to pain by preventing pain sensations from traveling through the spinal cord up to the brain, where the messages are received. Additionally, the user may feel lethargic, and the brain and heart’s ability function slows. This is dangerous, because breathing slows, which can possibly cause permanent brain damage and comas. Heroin can change neurochemical activity in the brain stem--this is where the medulla is located, which is the part of your brain that regulates functions such as breathing and the blood and heart vessels, which is why the brain and heart are affected by
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