You hear all the time that heroin is just a pro-drug for morphine, they are the same exact things, etc. People like myself with experience using them both usually say different.
I’ve seen before research that shows 6-monoacetylmorphine (one of heroins active metabolites) hits of a different mu receptor subtype that dihydromorphine also hits on.
I’ve talked many times on how the nearly pure heroin I used to use was an energizing experience similar to oxycodone. I remember nights of non stop talking like we were all on cocaine, it made work a breeze.
Here’s an interesting article I found to back up these statements.
jpet.aspetjournals.org
As you can see they found increased locomotor activity for heroin and 6-MAM but not for morphine at an equimolar dose. This corresponds perfectly with my experience.
Morphine, while euphoric and relaxing, not an opiate I’d snub my nose at or anything.. It’s just lacking in that opiate energy category which is a huge reason I use them.
Looking back at how 6-MAM hits on the same receptor subtype as dihydromorphine. Dihydromorphine also happens to be a fairly stimulating opioid. I’d like to know more about this specific receptor subtype.
Whatever the case, heroin is indeed a different drug to morphine (as are most “pro drugs”) and can’t just be looked at purely as a more bioavailable morphine (unless taken orally.)
-GC
I’ve seen before research that shows 6-monoacetylmorphine (one of heroins active metabolites) hits of a different mu receptor subtype that dihydromorphine also hits on.
I’ve talked many times on how the nearly pure heroin I used to use was an energizing experience similar to oxycodone. I remember nights of non stop talking like we were all on cocaine, it made work a breeze.
Here’s an interesting article I found to back up these statements.

Increased Locomotor Activity Induced by Heroin in Mice: Pharmacokinetic Demonstration of Heroin Acting as a Prodrug for the Mediator 6-Monoacetylmorphine in Vivo
We investigated the relative importance of heroin and its metabolites in eliciting a behavioral response in mice by studying the relationship between concentrations of heroin, 6-monoacetylmorphine (6MAM), and morphine in brain tissue and the effects on locomotor activity. Low doses...
As you can see they found increased locomotor activity for heroin and 6-MAM but not for morphine at an equimolar dose. This corresponds perfectly with my experience.
Morphine, while euphoric and relaxing, not an opiate I’d snub my nose at or anything.. It’s just lacking in that opiate energy category which is a huge reason I use them.
Looking back at how 6-MAM hits on the same receptor subtype as dihydromorphine. Dihydromorphine also happens to be a fairly stimulating opioid. I’d like to know more about this specific receptor subtype.
Whatever the case, heroin is indeed a different drug to morphine (as are most “pro drugs”) and can’t just be looked at purely as a more bioavailable morphine (unless taken orally.)
-GC