AKA: Diacetylmorphine, diamorphine
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III. Chemical Profile ( IUPAC name)
[(4R,4aR,7S,7aR,12bS)-9-acetyloxy-3-methyl-2,4,4a,7,7a,13-hexahydro-1H-4,12-methanobenzofuro[3,2-e]isoquinolin-7-yl] acetate
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IV. History
Heroin's story is one of both medicine and misuse. Derived from the opium poppy, its history stretches back centuries. In the 19th century, scientists isolated morphine, opium's main psychoactive ingredient. Heroin's creation in 1874 offered a supposedly safer alternative. However, by the early 20th century, its addictive properties became undeniable. Regulations and criminalization followed. Heroin use has ebbed and flowed throughout the decades, with major surges in the US during the 20th and 21st centuries. While initially marketed as a cough suppressant, heroin's path highlights the complexities of managing powerful substances, with the current opioid epidemic a stark reminder of its ongoing dangers.
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V. Legal Information
Poppy cultivation for food (seeds) is generally legal globally. However, regulations exist to prevent diversion for opium production. Heroin, derived from opium, is a tightly controlled substance almost everywhere. International conventions like the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961) restrict heroin production, possession, and trade. Exceptions exist for minuscule amounts for medical research or end-of-life care. The strictest penalties often apply, reflecting heroin's high addiction risk and severe health consequences.
US Federal Schedule - I
Schedule I drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Some examples of Schedule I drugs are: heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana (cannabis), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy), methaqualone, and peyote.
Key US Federal Policies:
Controlled Substances Act. Public Law: Public Law 91-513 (text can be found on GovInfo) (https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/csa). Date enacted: October 27, 1970.
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VI. Physical Effects
Poppy cultivation for food (seeds) is generally legal globally. However, regulations exist to prevent diversion for opium production. Heroin, derived from opium, is a tightly controlled substance almost everywhere. International conventions like the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961) restrict heroin production, possession, and trade. Exceptions exist for minuscule amounts for medical research or end-of-life care. The strictest penalties often apply, reflecting heroin's high addiction risk and severe health consequences.
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VII. Psychological Effects
Heroin's psychological grip is as insidious as its physical hold. It hijacks your reward system, making you crave the drug for even the smallest semblance of pleasure. Anxiety and depression intensify as you neglect responsibilities and isolate yourself. Fear of withdrawal, with symptoms like chills, insomnia, and muscle cramps, becomes a constant companion. Heroin distorts your perception, making it difficult to trust yourself or others. The cycle of intense highs followed by crippling lows traps you in a desperate search for the next fix.
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VIII. Culture
The poppy's history transcends its association with the modern drug heroin. For millennia, the poppy plant has held a complex and multifaceted place in human culture. Ancient civilizations like those of Greece and Rome recognized its psychoactive properties, with figures like Pliny the Elder documenting its effects. However, the poppy's story goes beyond mere observation. In China, the forced trade of opium by Western powers during the 19th century's Opium Wars exemplifies the devastating social and economic consequences that poppy-derived substances can have. Even in the realm of literature, the famed English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge grappled with opium addiction, leaving an imprint on his works like 'Kubla Khan.' The poppy's journey through history serves as a reminder of both its potential benefits and the dangers associated with its misuse.
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