Heroin Effects On The Body | Physical Effects Of Heroin

Heroin is an illegal opioid drug derived from morphine that acts as a powerful central nervous system depressant, slowing heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and decision-making while producing an intense but short-lived rush of euphoria. It’s one of the most addictive substances known, capable of creating physical and psychological dependence in a matter of weeks, and one of the most dangerous, as illicit drugs have become increasingly contaminated with fentanyl.

Knowing how heroin affects the body, both in the short term and with chronic use, is important for anyone trying to recognize signs of use in themselves or a loved one. The drug’s effects vary depending on how it’s taken, how much is used, and whether it’s been mixed with other substances, but the core physiological impact on the brain and body follows predictable patterns that are worth understanding.

How Heroin Works

Heroin is a depressant. It slows activity in the brain by binding to and activating the body’s mu-opioid receptors. These receptors help regulate functions such as body movement, pain sensation, mood, and hormones. Activating these receptors in the brain can cause a release of the brain chemical dopamine, a “feel good” chemical.

The release of dopamine can cause what many refer to as a drug “high,” characterized by a pleasurable sensation of relaxation and positive well-being. It can also reinforce continued use of heroin and, through chronic use, psychological addiction.

Short-Term Effects Of Heroin Use On The Body

Heroin is known for its rapid, euphoric effects. Depending on how it’s used, the effects of heroin may be felt within anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes.

Short-term effects of heroin on the body can include:

• calmness
• heaviness of the arms and legs
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• nausea
• constricted pupils
• warm flushing of the skin
• itchiness

Heroin Nod

People who take heroin may also begin “nodding out,” or falling in and out of a semi-conscious state. This may also be a sign of heroin overdose, which may require immediate medical assistance.

Heroin Eyes

Many drugs can cause changes in pupil size and eye appearance. Heroin is known to constrict the pupils, or cause tiny pupil size, sometimes referred to as heroin eyes.

Read more about heroin eyes

Long-Term Effects On The Body

Over time, people who use heroin very often may begin to feel reliant on it. This can be a sign of heroin dependence, which develops when the body becomes used to having the drug in the system.

Other long-term effects of heroin can include:

• chronic heroin use: decreased appetite, constipation, and changes in sleep, insomnia, and even malnutrition
• injecting heroin: track marks, damaged blood vessels, abscesses, and bruising
• sharing drug paraphernalia: (such as needles, syringes, and spoons) high risk of contracting infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis

Read more about heroin-induced constipation

Dangers Of Fentanyl-Laced Heroin

One of the most urgent developments in heroin-related harm over the past decade is how illicitly made fentanyl has infiltrated the heroin supply. Fentanyl is up to 50 times more potent than heroin, and even a microscopic amount mixed into a batch can be enough to cause a fatal overdose. The problem is that fentanyl is odorless and tasteless, and without a fentanyl test strip, there is no way to know whether a supply has been contaminated just by looking at it.

This contamination has fundamentally changed the risk profile of heroin use. Many overdose deaths today occur in people who believed they were taking heroin at a dose they had previously tolerated, not realizing the supply contained fentanyl. Naloxone, available without a prescription at most pharmacies, can reverse a fentanyl overdose when administered quickly.

Signs Of Heroin Overdose

Heroin overdose can be treated with the administration of naloxone, an opioid antagonist. Knowing the signs of an overdose, and treating it quickly, can be life-saving.

Signs of a heroin overdose can include:

• shallow, slow, or stopped breathing
• cold, clammy skin
• bluish lips or fingernails
• slow heart rate
• low blood pressure
• confusion
• tiny pupils
• stomach pain
• coma

If someone has stopped breathing, is unresponsive, or has collapsed after using heroin, call 911 or poison control for assistance right away.

How To Stop Using Heroin

Getting off heroin isn’t so simple as quitting cold-turkey. People who are addicted to heroin may become dependent on it physically and psychologically.

Without professional treatment, trying to quit heroin alone can cause:

• withdrawal symptoms
• relapse
• depression
• increased risk of overdose

If you want to stop using heroin, or want to get help for a loved one addicted to heroin, finding a detox program is highly recommended. Within a detox program, healthcare professionals can offer treatment for withdrawal symptoms and coordinate continued care in a treatment program.

Find Treatment For Heroin Addiction

Recovering from the physical effects of heroin isn’t always easy, but it is possible with treatment. Treatment for heroin addiction generally involves detoxification, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), behavioral therapy, and more.

Browse our directory or reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for more information about addiction recovery.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff