The body has its own pain-killing opiates called endorphins which are released in times of physical injury. Heroin is converted by the brain into morphine which then binds of the endorphin receptors all over the body, creating a powerful and pleasurable warm 'cotton wool' effect.

Most heroin in the UK comes from poppies grown in Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey. In the US, heroin comes from Mexico, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and the notorious Golden Triangle area of Southeast Asia (Burma, Thailand, Laos). See similar questions...

In smaller doses many users find that heroin stimulates libido, and increases sensuality and connection with a partner. Orgasm is generally more difficult to achieve, but this can prolong the sexual act and enjoyment. In larger doses orgasm may prove impossible, which can be frustrating, and some people find it embarrassing. In dependent users, high doses, out of control stress levels and a poor state of general physical health often contributes to suppress libido. See similar questions...

Heroin is an opiod agonist. It's is a semi-synthetic drug which is derived from opium, and has the chemical formula C21H23NO3. Opium is produced by the opium poppy - papaver somniferum. The group of opiod agonists includes many other drugs, one is morphine, the direct derivative of opium. See similar questions...

All ways of taking heroin can lead to addiction. Smoking and sniffing heroin do not produce a "rush" as quickly or as intensely as intravenous injection, but the heroin still ends up in the brain, where addiction and tolerance build up. See similar questions...

Pure heroin is usually white. Street heroin is usually brown from impurities and adulterants. However there is no way to guage heroin purity just from looking at it. See similar questions...

The brown heroin commonly seen in the UK doesn't dissolve very easily and so is difficult to inject intravenously. Users have to use acids, usually citric acid from lemons, to do so. See similar questions...

MSP coverage is no longer available, except for those patients on premium assistance. Please make sure to let our front reception staff know if you qualify for premium assistance. See similar questions...

Heroin is a more refined form of morphine, and requires a smaller dose for the same effect. Many opiates may be very efficient painkillers, with few euphoric effects, and the vice versa applies in a couple of examples. Heroin has very effective abilities in both the euphoric and analgesic areas. This essentially means that it creates an intense feeling of well being and relief from stresses and it relieves physical pains. See similar questions...

Heroin slows down breathing, and can stop it altogether. Most heroin overdoses occur when heroin is combined with other drugs with a depressant effect, particularly alcohol and sleeping pills like Valium or Normison. While overdoses caused by a single high IV dose of pure heroin may cause immediate death, many overdose victims do not fall into an immediate coma as is often the portrayal of OD in popular culture. See similar questions...

If a user ceases consumption of opiates after developing dependence, they will experience withdrawal. Physical withdrawal from heroin peaks on the 3rd or 4th day, and is pretty much over by the 8th day. Level of severity and types of withdrawal symptoms experienced can be very individual. A user consuming more each day will tend to have more severe symptoms than a friend using less, but gender, age, state of physical and mental health, and many other thing can affect this. See similar questions...

Although we are refused prescription heroin, users are offered drugs like methadone and buprenorphine, supposedly to "treat" your dependence. These drugs simply maintain your habit, and withdrawal will be experienced if you stop using them straightaway, same as with heroin. They can be very important, providing people with a way of functioning without heroin, but prescription diacetylmorphine could meet this role just as well. Naltrexone is a drug which blocks the effects of opiates. See similar questions...

It is hard to stopp using heroin, with heavy withdrawal symptoms for 7-10 days. Methadone can replace heroin and allow a better life than using heroin, but methadone is itself an opiate. Some people first switch to methadone, then gradually reduce the amount to finally get rid of their addiction. See similar questions...

Purity varies, fluctuating on a local basis depending on availability (dealers reduce purity when they don't have as much) but generally, yes, heroin is purer now than it has ever been. Part of this is because former cocaine cartels are now branching out into heroin as well, flooding the market. Higher purity also makes snorting and inhaling an alternative to injecting without too much compromising of the intensity of the high. See similar questions...