Heroin

Heroin is an opioid drug derived from morphine, which is in turn derived from the opium poppy plant (Papaver somniferum).

There are more than five thousand years, the poppy plant from which heroin is derived, is known to mankind. At that time,the Sumerians used to use it to combat some diseases like insomnia and constipation. In the last century, pharmacists were,of poppy, a substance that was called Morphine. The use of morphine was widely spread in the 19TH century medicine, due mostly to its analgesic and antidiarréicas.

Active ingredient

The heroine is a variation of morphine, which in turn is a variation of the opium, obtained from a plant called Poppy. Thechemical name of the heroine is Diacetylmorphine. The heroine is presented in solid form. To be consumed, it is heatednormally with the aid of a spoon where the drug turns into liquid and is ready to be injected. The consumption of heroincan be directly through the vein, most common form in the West, or inhaled, as is usually consumed in the East.

Effects

Heroin is one of the most harmful drugs that's ever been known. In addition to being extremely harmful to the body, the heroine quickly cause chemical dependence and psychic. She acts as a powerful depressant of the central nervous system.Shortly after injecting the drug, the user is in a sleepy state, out of touch with reality. This State is known as "head" or"head". The pupils are very constricted and the first sensations are euphoric and comfort. Then, the user goes into deep depression, which leads him to seek out new and larger doses to get repeat the effect.

Physically, the heroin user may submit several complications such as deafness, blindness, delusions, inflammation of the heart valves, coma and even death. In the case of being consumed by intravenous means, can cause necrosis (tissue death)of the veins. This makes the addict to find a vein that is still under appropriate conditions to be able to inject a new dose.The body is not regulated by producing some vital substances like endorphins or passing to produce other substances too,like norepinephrine, which, in excess, accelerates the heartbeat and respiration. The body loses the ability to control its temperature causing chills constants. The stomach and intestine are completely out of control causing constant vomiting,diarrhea and severe abdominal pain.

History

Was first synthesized by English chemist Charles Romley Alder Wright in 1874 and marketed medicines by chemist Felix Hoffmann, of Bayer in August 21, 1897.

Its name probably comes from the German heroisch and indicates the feeling observed by users during initial studies. Was used for treating morphine addicts and as a sedative of cough in children from 1898 to 1910 when it was discovered thatthe heroin is converted into morphine in the liver, ironically being even more addictive than morphine. 7

Its trade name was ceded by Germany to the allies in 1918 as part of war reparations. The heroine was banned in Western countries in the early 20th century due to severe physical dependence that flooded.

The injection is preferred in the recreational abuse, due to the effect of sudden pleasure (named "abdominal orgasm").Inhalation has gained ground in a mode called "chasing the dragon", with Oriental origins, where the availability of syringes and needles is smaller.

Can also be ingested, absorbed through the skin or smoked. Cocaine consumption ("speedballs" or "moonrocks") has become widespread.

Heroin is more lipophilic than other opioids, due to the addition of the acetyl group, which leads to its much fasterabsorption into the brain. The rapidity of effect is important for drug addicts, because it provides higher concentrationsinitially, translating into intense pleasure after injection ("kick", "rush"). In the brain it is immediately converted intomorphine and in ways less ACETYLATED by cellular enzymes.

Mechanism of action:

Opioid receptors are classified under type δ (delta) μ (mu or mi), κ (kappa) exist in neurons of some areas of the brain,spinal cord and neuronal systems of the intestine. Active heroine (pharmacological agonist) all opioid receptors, but its effects are largely due to the activation of subtype e, effective on analgesic action. 8

The pleasure and well-being mechanism produced by the consumption of heroin is not completely understood, but it is known that, like the other recreational drugs, is due to interference in the dopaminergic pathways (pathways that use theneurotransmitter dopamine) meso-limbic-cortical mid-ocean. Dopaminergic pathways relating the limbic system (region of emotions and learning) and the cortex (area of conscious mechanisms) are important in the production of pleasure.Typically, they are only activated in a limited way in specific circumstances, linked to the reward of learning and ofsuccessful behaviors related to obtaining resources, knowledge or social or sexual connections are important for thesuccess of the individual. On drug use, these pathways are modified and perverted ("highjacked") and will respond positively only to the cerebral biochemical disorder created by the drug itself. Much of the motivation of the individualpasses to the obtaining and drug consumption, and social interests, family, ambition, professional learning and other factors not directly important to their obtaining are with increasing consumption increasingly sloppy, often without the individual take informed decisions in this regard.

Heroin pictures: