Tommyboy
Bluelight Crew
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2009
- Messages
- 14,260
The Basics
Introduction and Basic Description
Heroin is an opiate narcotic, central nervous system depressant. Desired effects include euphoria, empathy, sleepiness or "the nod" and analgesic (pain killing) properties.
Timeline of Experience
The onset, peak, and duration of heroin all depend on the ROA.
IV- onset 0-30 seconds, peak T+ 15minutes, plateau T+30minutes-2hours, Afterglow T+2-4hours, end of experience T3-4hours.
IM- onset 5 minutes, peak T + 25 minutes, plateau T+ 40 minutes- 2.5 hours, Afterglow 2.5-5 hours, end of experience T+ 5 hours.
Nasal- onset takes about 10 minutes, the peak occurs after about 30-45 minutes, the plateau lasts for 2-3 hours, with the experience ending after around 5 or 6 hours. Depending on the users tolerance, there may be an afterglow until the user goes to sleep (if taken early in the day) or in the morning (if the user took the drug late at night).
Smoking- onset 0-30 seconds, peak T+ _____, plateau T _____, Afterglow T+ ____, end of experience T _____.
Effects
The effects of heroin depend on both dose, ROA, and tolerance.
The euphoric and analgesic effects are felt, but the extent will depend on the above factors.
In lower doses, many users experience an increase in energy and become more social due to the lift in mood that heroin brings about. They may talk more than usual and express their feelings, and do things that require energy such as cooking, cleaning, etc.
In higher doses the drug is more sedating. This is when users experience "the nod." Nodding out is when the user is in a dream-like state of euphoria in which they are aware of their surroundings, but they close their eyes and let their mind wander while they are in this state of extreme euphoria.
Some highs will start of energetic and stimulating, and when the drug peaks the user will then feel the more sedating effects of the drug.
Dosages
Method of administration
Describe method. This should generally be a link to an individual page describing that method (e.g. IV, orally). Add in this section anything that is relevant to that method FOR THIS DRUG.
Method 1
Method 2
Slang
Gear, dope, smack, skag, diesel, brown, H, boi, dog food, raw, scramble, tar, balloons, chiva, hammer, horse(y)...
Problems
Contraindications and Overdose
Heroin causes respiratory depression which in high doses or in combination with other CNS depressants can cause overdose.
The other drugs that are central nervous system depressants which are dangerous to mix with heroin include but are not limited to; alcohol, benzodiazepines (alprazolam, diazepam, clonazepam, etc), barbiturates, and other opiates.
CNS stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamine can cause negative effects when combined with heroin due to the "masking effect" that they cause. What that means is the user may not think that they are that high off of the heroin because the stimulant drugs are masking the effects of the heroin. The user, thinking that the heroin isn't that strong, may then take another dose of heroin to get the effects they are after and end up overdosing once the stimulants wear off.
Other substances that can cause complications when taken with heroin are drugs that effect the metabolism of heroin due to their interaction with the same liver enzymes that break down the drug. White grapefruit juice and cimetidine (tagamet) are a few of the drugs that interact with the metabolism of heroin, and can cause dangerous interaction.
In the event of overdose, the opioid antagonist Narcan (naloxone) is administered to treat the overdose. For more information on this, read Managing Opioid Overdose.
Many of the problems associated with heroin are due to improper and unsafe IV technique, as well as unknown purity and cuts associated with street heroin.
Negative Short-Term Side Effects
Nausea, vomiting, itching, rash, constipation, urinary retention, and a decrease in reaction time.
Negative Long-Term Side Effects
Constipation, dependence, decreased sex drive, irritability, and depression.
Addiction and Withdrawal Issues
Harm Reduction
When discussing harm reduction for heroin, it can be split up into harm reduction for heroin, and harm reduction for IV use.
Heroin:
IV use:
Explain briefly the legal status of the substance, in as many jurisdictions as possible, but focus obviously on BL's userbase: the USA, Australia, the UK and Canada. Probably link to other pages which explain the drug classification system in that country - e.g. create a page which explains what the US schedules mean, and link to that.
Background and Chemistry
History of Drug
Brief history e.g. MDMA patented by Merck then basically forgotten, Shulgin synths it out of interest in its similarity with MDA. The Texas crew, then Ibiza, the Euros getting into it in a big way, link to rave culture, etc. Talk about current situation.
Chemistry
A chance for the ADD crew to go crazy. Use pictures!
Preparation
You wouldn't necessarily include this - possibly for drugs like crack where you have to put some effort into making them. You can include e.g. preparing ketamine powder from liquid, making crack from coke, etc. DO NOT include anything relating to synthesis! We're talking about taking a pre-existing drug and altering its form to make it easier/better to use, NOT making a drug from other chemicals.
Mechanism of Action
More ADD stuff, talk about neurotransmitters and GABA and SERT receptors and stuff.
Trip reports and links
Trip Reports
Probably a paragraph giving links to cool TRs here and on other sites. Don't re-write or copy/paste the whole trip report.
Links
Erowid and Wikipedia for a start. Anything else that might be relevant.
Introduction and Basic Description
Heroin is an opiate narcotic, central nervous system depressant. Desired effects include euphoria, empathy, sleepiness or "the nod" and analgesic (pain killing) properties.
Timeline of Experience
The onset, peak, and duration of heroin all depend on the ROA.
IV- onset 0-30 seconds, peak T+ 15minutes, plateau T+30minutes-2hours, Afterglow T+2-4hours, end of experience T3-4hours.
IM- onset 5 minutes, peak T + 25 minutes, plateau T+ 40 minutes- 2.5 hours, Afterglow 2.5-5 hours, end of experience T+ 5 hours.
Nasal- onset takes about 10 minutes, the peak occurs after about 30-45 minutes, the plateau lasts for 2-3 hours, with the experience ending after around 5 or 6 hours. Depending on the users tolerance, there may be an afterglow until the user goes to sleep (if taken early in the day) or in the morning (if the user took the drug late at night).
Smoking- onset 0-30 seconds, peak T+ _____, plateau T _____, Afterglow T+ ____, end of experience T _____.
Effects
The effects of heroin depend on both dose, ROA, and tolerance.
The euphoric and analgesic effects are felt, but the extent will depend on the above factors.
In lower doses, many users experience an increase in energy and become more social due to the lift in mood that heroin brings about. They may talk more than usual and express their feelings, and do things that require energy such as cooking, cleaning, etc.
In higher doses the drug is more sedating. This is when users experience "the nod." Nodding out is when the user is in a dream-like state of euphoria in which they are aware of their surroundings, but they close their eyes and let their mind wander while they are in this state of extreme euphoria.
Some highs will start of energetic and stimulating, and when the drug peaks the user will then feel the more sedating effects of the drug.
Dosages
Method of administration
Describe method. This should generally be a link to an individual page describing that method (e.g. IV, orally). Add in this section anything that is relevant to that method FOR THIS DRUG.
Method 1
Method 2
Slang
Gear, dope, smack, skag, diesel, brown, H, boi, dog food, raw, scramble, tar, balloons, chiva, hammer, horse(y)...
Problems
Contraindications and Overdose
Heroin causes respiratory depression which in high doses or in combination with other CNS depressants can cause overdose.
The other drugs that are central nervous system depressants which are dangerous to mix with heroin include but are not limited to; alcohol, benzodiazepines (alprazolam, diazepam, clonazepam, etc), barbiturates, and other opiates.
CNS stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamine can cause negative effects when combined with heroin due to the "masking effect" that they cause. What that means is the user may not think that they are that high off of the heroin because the stimulant drugs are masking the effects of the heroin. The user, thinking that the heroin isn't that strong, may then take another dose of heroin to get the effects they are after and end up overdosing once the stimulants wear off.
Other substances that can cause complications when taken with heroin are drugs that effect the metabolism of heroin due to their interaction with the same liver enzymes that break down the drug. White grapefruit juice and cimetidine (tagamet) are a few of the drugs that interact with the metabolism of heroin, and can cause dangerous interaction.
In the event of overdose, the opioid antagonist Narcan (naloxone) is administered to treat the overdose. For more information on this, read Managing Opioid Overdose.
Many of the problems associated with heroin are due to improper and unsafe IV technique, as well as unknown purity and cuts associated with street heroin.
Negative Short-Term Side Effects
Nausea, vomiting, itching, rash, constipation, urinary retention, and a decrease in reaction time.
Negative Long-Term Side Effects
Constipation, dependence, decreased sex drive, irritability, and depression.
Addiction and Withdrawal Issues
Harm Reduction
When discussing harm reduction for heroin, it can be split up into harm reduction for heroin, and harm reduction for IV use.
Heroin:
- Always start with a low dose and work your way up. It is very important to do this so that you "test" the purity of the heroin before doing a regular dose. You can do this by doing a "test shot" if you IV, or by snorting or smoking a small amount first, whether you IV or use the other ROAs. This is especially important to do after abstaining from use for a longer period of time than usual. Most overdoses occur when a person uses for the first time after a break, and they do not decrease their dose enough to account for their drop in tolerance.
- Never use alone. You should have somebody with you in case you overdose so that they can call the paramedics (911/999) and administer rescue breathing for you while waiting for the paramedics to come.
- Obtain Narcan (naloxone) to have for emergency situations. Different states and countries have different laws on allowing people to obtain this drug. Some states will give out this drug as well as train you in how to use it in the even of an overdose. Please look up resources for this drug in your area, and obtain this drug if at all possible.
- Do not combine heroin with other CNS depressants. The list of dangerous combinations is located above in the section of Contraindications and Overdose.
IV use:
- Always do a "test shot" to gauge the strength of the heroin that you have.
- Use a new syringe each time that you IV. Depending on your location and state laws, you may have needle exchanges in your area that will provide you with new syringes as well as other IV equipment. They may also have Narcan that they give out as part of their overdose prevention initiative.
- Micron filter your shots. If you don't have access to micron filters at your needle exchange or other HR resources in your area, you can order them online. If you are still unable to have access to them, then make sure to filter multiple times before IVing the solution.
- Do not heat the solution. Some of the cuts in heroin are not soluble in room temperature water, and therefore should be left out of your shot. Heating the solution may allow these cuts to dissolve into the solution, make it through the filter into your shot, and precipitate out of the shot once in your veins. From there they can collect in your system which can cause damage in several ways.
- Untie the tourniquet before pushing down on the plunger to avoid blowing out a vein.
- Disinfect the injection site before and after IVing by using an alcohol wipe over the area.
- Never share injection equipment, including spoons, touriquets, cottons, micron filters, etc. Hepatitis can be spread by sharing these things and is not only spread through the use of shared syringes, so it is essential to use all new IV equipment every time you IV.
Explain briefly the legal status of the substance, in as many jurisdictions as possible, but focus obviously on BL's userbase: the USA, Australia, the UK and Canada. Probably link to other pages which explain the drug classification system in that country - e.g. create a page which explains what the US schedules mean, and link to that.
Background and Chemistry
History of Drug
Brief history e.g. MDMA patented by Merck then basically forgotten, Shulgin synths it out of interest in its similarity with MDA. The Texas crew, then Ibiza, the Euros getting into it in a big way, link to rave culture, etc. Talk about current situation.
Chemistry
A chance for the ADD crew to go crazy. Use pictures!
Preparation
You wouldn't necessarily include this - possibly for drugs like crack where you have to put some effort into making them. You can include e.g. preparing ketamine powder from liquid, making crack from coke, etc. DO NOT include anything relating to synthesis! We're talking about taking a pre-existing drug and altering its form to make it easier/better to use, NOT making a drug from other chemicals.
Mechanism of Action
More ADD stuff, talk about neurotransmitters and GABA and SERT receptors and stuff.
Trip reports and links
Trip Reports
Probably a paragraph giving links to cool TRs here and on other sites. Don't re-write or copy/paste the whole trip report.
Links
Erowid and Wikipedia for a start. Anything else that might be relevant.
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