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Scientific Name: Diamorphine
Other Common Names: Big H, Horse, Hell Dust, Smack

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Molecular Formula: C₂₁H₂₃NO₅

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Heroin is a narcotic drug that is considered an opioid. They are usually recognized as pain relievers when prescribed, but are considered highly addictive and heavily abused.

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Brain and Nervous System: Can permanently alter the function and physical structure of the brain because of repeated brain activation by Heroin. This can deteriorate white brain matter, impacting the brain's decision-making ability. Neurons in the nervous system can also deteriorate, ultimately making you less reactive to your surroundings.

Cardiovascular System: Repeated Heroin usage can lead to making your chances for heart attack twice as likely. Toxins from the Heroin can also get into the bloodstream, ultimately leading to potential heart failure.

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There is no determined dosage of Heroin that is determined as deadly. The three factors that contribute to its toxicity is the individual's physiological makeup, individual's history of heroin usage, and the other drugs that the abuser is using.

Some websites tag the amount at 200mg, but that is not verified.

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Low Toxicity Level/Short-Term Effects: feeling a "rush", dry mouth, flushing of skin, heavy arms and legs, nausea and vomiting, itching, clouded mental process, feeling of being conscious/unconscious

High Toxicity Level: Slowed heartbeat, choking sounds, conscious but cannot talk, body becomes extremely weak, Clammy skin, not responsive.

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Heroin has a very short half-life, typically only lasting 30 minutes on average, and gets flushed out the body's system after only 5-6 hours via urination.

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Naloxone: Opioid receptor antagonist medication that can eliminate signs of opioid intoxication and can prevent the heroin from stimulating the activators.

Lofexidine: Can decrease some withdrawal effects for addicts trying to get off of the drug

Behavioral Therapy: Going to treatment centers to have support staying off of the drug by having reward-based systems in place.

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Testing Completed:
Marquis: Often times, the Marquis test is utilized to determine whether or not the unknown substance may read positive for Heroin. If the color turns reddish/purple - that accounts for the identification of Heroin.

Microcrystalline: The drugs are observed under a microscope to give cues to the structure of the crystal, further identifying what the substance may be.

Urine Tests: Urine may be analyzed to identifying if whether or not it tests positive for Heroin... This procedure is done rarely because of how short the half-life of heroin is.

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- Mood Enhancement and Increased Well-Being
- Increased productivity
- Coping Mechanism for Trauma
- Subtle Pain Relief

*None are backed by research, based off of users descriptions*

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Heroin is not legal for usage under any circumstances due to its addictive nature.

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- Most Heroin users are in their early to mid-20s and are from middle to upper-class families
- Heroin was manufactured in 1898 by a Germany company to help treat tuberculosis
- 9.2 million people worldwide are addicted to Heroin

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11 facts about heroin. (2014). Retrieved May 13, 2021, from https://www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11-facts-about-heroin

Dowshen, S. (Ed.). (2018, May). Heroin (for teens) - nemours kidshealth. Retrieved May 13, 2021, from https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/heroin.html

How heroin affects the heart. (2020, January 29). Retrieved May 13, 2021, from https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/heroin-addiction/heroin-affects-heart/

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021, April 12). Opioids. Retrieved May 13, 2021, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/opioids

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021, April 13). What are the treatments for heroin use disorder? Retrieved May 13, 2021, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/heroin/what-are-treatments-heroin-use-disorder

Oelhaf, R. (2020, May 26). Heroin toxicity. Retrieved May 13, 2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430736/

White, G., Luczak, S., Mundia, B., & Goorah, S. (2020, August 23). Exploring the perceived risks and benefits of heroin use among young people (18-24 years) in Mauritius: Economic insights from an EXPLORATORY qualitative study. Retrieved May 13, 2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7503563/