Is Heroin Bad For You?
Also Known As: diamorphine, H, smack, boy
Short answer
Doing heroin is suicidal - for the body, for social relationships, etc. It is a terrible drug that ruins lives and there is nothing good to be said about it.
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Heroin is an opioid that is synthesized from morphine. It can be a white or brown powder or black and sticky (known as black tar heroin). According to a survey conducted in 2011, around 1.6% of Americans aged 12 and over admitted to having used heroin at least once. It is a drug that can be snorted, sniffed, inhaled, smoked, or injected, with the last form being perhaps the most common and leading to the intense euphoria sometimes absent from other methods. All methods, however, deliver heroin to the brain rapidly.
Once heroin enters the brain, it is re-converted into morphine. Once this occurs, the morphine binds to opioid receptors, which are located in the brain stem (the same region responsible for automatic processes such as breathing, blood pressure, etc.). The immediate risk of heroin is brain damage, which includes going into a coma. Furthermore, as the drug affects the part of the brain which controls automatic processes, there is a large risk of respiratory failure. In fact, overdose of heroin often results in hypoxia - a condition in which the victim cannot breathe properly, thus depriving the brain of oxygen.
Still another risk from heroin is getting HIV and other transmittable infections from using shared needles. Heroin withdrawal is said to be one of the worst (compared to withdrawing from other drugs) and can take hold shortly after one's most recent fix. Symptoms of withdrawal include involuntary kicking, chills, insomnia, muscle and bone pain, diarrhea, and restlessness. Not only can a heroin user go through withdrawal, but symptoms can appear in a child born to a heroin-using mother. This is known as neonatal abstinence syndrome and - along with low birth weight and miscarriage - is a possible effect of doing heroin during pregnancy. One more thing to look out for is that street heroin is often laced with other substances that can, among much more, clog blood vessels.
Possible short-term side effects
- difficulty breathing
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hypoxia
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nausea / vomiting
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blood clot
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addiction
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permanent brain damage
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contraction of illness from shared needles
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death
Possible long-term side effects
- tooth erosion
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inflammation of the gums
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constipation
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cold sweats
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itching
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weakening of the immune system
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coma
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respiratory (breathing) illnesses
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muscular weakness, partial paralysis
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reduced sexual capacity and long-term impotence in men
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menstrual disturbance in women
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inability to achieve orgasm
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loss of memory and intellectual performance
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introversion
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depression
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pustules on the face
Possible withdrawal symptoms
- restlessness
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chills
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insomnia
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involuntary kicking
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diarrhea
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vomiting
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seizures
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Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 02-28-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 02-28-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016