Heroin Effects

The effects of heroin can be felt within seconds of intravenous injection. Users tend to feel euphoric, drowsy, and warm. These sensations are what are known as being "high" on heroin. Other effects brought on by heroin include slowed breathing, the users arms and legs feeling heavy or weighted, itchy skin, dry mouth, slowed heartbeat, constricted pupils, and feeling sick. More often than not users have the desire to sleep after they have experienced the high and euphoric effects from heroin.

Shortly after heroin is ingested it crosses the blood-brain barrier. Within the brain, heroin is changed into morphine which then binds quickly to opioid receptors. The intensity of the high that is felt by the user varies on the amount of heroin taken and how quickly it enters into the users brain. Heroin gets its addictive nature from the fact that it enters the users brain so rapidly.

Listed below are the short-term or immediate effects of heroin use:

• One-to-two minute "rush."
• Warm flushing of the skin.
• Dry mouth.
• Heavy feeling in arms and legs.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Severe itching.
• Drowsiness and confusion for up to six hours.
• Slowed heart rate.
• Slowed breathing rate.
• Suppression of pain.
• Reduced anxiety.
• Reduced coughing
• "Nodding" or alternating between a wakeful and drowsy state
• The pupils of the eyes become smaller