At NIDA’s last Chat Day, we got this question from a high school student:
”Why do people scratch a lot when they are high on heroin?"
A NIDA scientist responded that he had done years of research on this topic. He explained: “Heroin activates connections in the brain called opioid receptors. These receptors then activate fibers that transmit itch information (aka ‘pruritus’) to the brain. Thus, heroin users feel itchy. Good question.”
But before heroin can activate opioid receptors, it has to enter the blood stream and reach the brain. So how does this happen?
People usually inject heroin into their blood stream with a syringe. Soon afterwards, the heroin crosses the “blood-brain barrier”—a protective membrane that separates circulating blood from brain fluid in the central nervous system. Once in the brain, heroin is converted to a chemical called morphine and binds rapidly to the opioid receptors already mentioned. These receptors recognize chemicals affecting pain, like morphine.
Heroin users typically report feeling a surge of pleasure, or a “rush,” which makes sense because heroin enters the brain so rapidly. This quality also makes it extremely addictive. Along with the rush usually comes a warm flushing of the skin, dry mouth, and a heavy feeling in the arms and legs, which may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and, of course, severe itching. Also, since heroin is a depressant, it clouds your thinking and can slow—or even stop—breathing.
Because heroin is mostly sold on the street, users can’t be sure of the purity (or strength) of the drug they’re taking. Also, because it’s so addictive, they may crave bigger and bigger amounts of the drug to get the same rush they got the first time—which often leads to overdose and death.
Comments
Once again, delivering great information. I always noticed the "itch" when in contact with addicts, but never knew the science behind it. Thanks for sharing!
I really do not like heroin
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what conditions are this drug used to treat
@bubbles According to Wikipedia, the chemical substance of heroin (diacetylmorphine) has also been used for pain management in some countries and as a maintenance drug to treat people addicted to opiates. opiate addicts. Neither of these treatments using heroin occurs in the United States.
why do people do drugs it is ignorint:(
this was really interesting and i started to ich a little
do you really have to ask why? use your common sense. why do you fun things? because they are fun and you like the feeling. Thats how it is with people trying drugs. They like the feeling after trying one so they try another.
What are a few long term effects of heroin?
@Stopheroin Good question. Regular heroin use can lead to a physical dependency. Over time, however, your body develops a tolerance, and users do not feel the same "high" once the brain and body become more accustomed to it, so you need more of the drug to get the same feeling. Other effects can be very serious - especially if you inject the heroin. These include: collapsed veins, bacterial infections, liver or kidney disease, lung problems (like pneumonia and tuberculosis), arthritis, and infectious diseases (like HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B and C). For more information on what heroin can do in the longer term, you may want to check out NIDA's InfoFacts on heroin: http://drugabuse.gov/infofacts/heroin.html or the NIDA Research Report on Heroin: http://www.nida.nih.gov/ResearchReports/Heroin/Heroin.html
heroin can cause alot of disease so dont do it
long term affacts are like liver disease and i think aids
and lung disease
why are people crazy enough to take drugs?
thanks for post.i allways suggest to everyone not to take Heroin.
drugs are a dumb thing to do
never do drugs they will mess with your head
this causes so many problems with stupidity, i mean why would u use such a drug that can cause death and mess u up and not only u but your family aswell
this causes so many problems with stupidity, i mean why would u use such a drug that can cause death and mess u up and not only u but your family aswell
I think people are just really depressed and they stop caring about a lot so they turn to drugs.
@Nodrugs people are sometimes depressed or unhappy with their lives so they try new things that they think will make them feel better but in the long run it does not help them at all and they are actually made worse... lots of people have different reasons why they choose to do drugs. Although i think that people who do heroin they should know the side affects.
I also think they feel like they have the need to use it to fit in, they even have the need to fit in. They want attention, in other words, they want other's pity and they end up psychologically addicted. Getting addicted to drugs is an awful habit. I feel bad for the people who got themselves into the spiral of drug abuse. I am glad I am not.
Heroin gives you a "rush", similar to a roller coaster. That sounds like a good thing until the the "rush" doesn't come as easily as it did the first time. The "rush" only occurs for a second, then it leaves and you're left depressed, itchy, and longing for the drug. This drug can easily stop your breathing. If you're looking for a 'rush", look for a natural way to get that feeling. Go on a roller coaster or do something you enjoy. Don't use Heroine to find happiness because soon, that feeling will turn to depression. Roller coasters don't give you a short-term "rush" then leave sadness in its place.
The effects of heroin on the brain are scary... I just don't understand why people would choose to mess up their lives and the lives of others by taking it. You might think "I'm just going to do it once and then never again," But thats what they all say. Once the drug enters your limbic system and releases dopamine, you won't stop taking it and your whole life will go down the drain. DRUGS R BAD 4 U!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I find it very interesting that heroin users have the urge to itch their heads when they use heroin. I would never have guessed how that would happen. I wonder, since it turns into morphine when it's in the brain, if heroin users feel less pain? These questions could be answered if I search a bit more on this website.
My bfs a heroin addict and I'm anti drugs, I also wonderd if he couldn't feel pain because of it so I nipped him, turns out theyfeel pain, but not as sore as it would have been and their reaction time slows down.
The itching. To watch is strange.
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