When you use heroin, your brain’s opioid receptors absorb a large number of opioids from an external source. As a result, your brain produces fewer endogenous, or natural, opioids. Having fewer natural opioids to help ward off pain can cause your brain to rely on the pain relief that heroin provides. As you continue to rely on heroin, your brain begins to develop a physical dependence on the drug. Once your brain becomes chemically dependent on heroin, you’ll experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop using the drug. In addition to becoming physically dependent on heroin, your brain’s tolerance for the substance may increase as well, meaning you’ll need larger doses of the drug to have the same pain-relieving and euphoric effects.

Long-term use of heroin can severely impair the brain. Using heroin for a long period of time allows harmful proteins to build up in the brain. Chronic heroin use can also inflame the brain and cause structural changes similar to those associated with Alzheimer’s disease. When this happens, you might experience dementia-like symptoms such as mental decline, confusion, personality changes, lack of restraint, depression, nervousness, paranoia, and memory loss.

Long-term use of heroin can change the physical structure of your brain, which throws neurological and hormonal systems out of balance. Reduced sex hormones as a result of heroin use can cause depression, chronic fatigue, osteoporosis, and loss of muscle mass. Hypogonadism, or a failure of the gonads and testes in men and ovaries in women, is another side effect of chronic opioid abuse. Neurological imbalance can cause genetic disorders, infections, strokes, seizures, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease. Even though you can reverse some hormonal and neurological imbalances, others are irreversible or may be difficult to treat even after you stop using heroin.

The brain contains mu-opioid receptors (MORS) which regulate pain, feelings, and hormones. When heroin activates these opioid receptors, they send dopamine to the body, which triggers a temporary sense of well-being. Unfortunately, high dopamine levels can also trigger several dangerous side effects, including slowed breathing and impaired motor function. Additionally, because heroin binds so strongly to opioid receptors, it can easily cause an overdose. When taken in high doses, heroin can cause the respiratory system to shut down, leading to death.

Chronic use of heroin can lead to decreased white matter in the brain. White matter helps protect nerve fibers in the brain and helps signals travel quickly between different parts of the brain. Heroin addiction can damage the white matter in the brain. This can make it hard for the user to make decisions, control themselves, and cope with difficult situations. Additionally, heroin use can cause changes in the way the brain processes information, which can affect a person’s ability to think clearly and make sound decisions. As a result, heroin addiction can have a profoundly negative impact on an individual’s life.

When heroin enters the bloodstream, it binds to opioid receptors in the brain. This action blocks off oxygen-rich blood vessels, which reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches the brain. In turn, this can lead to a condition known as hypoxia, which can cause brain damage and even death. Oxygen deprivation can lead to serious health problems, including coma and death. In addition, heroin use can disrupt the normal functioning of the respiratory system, which can also cause oxygen deprivation.

Research shows that heroin can change the brain’s physical structure, particularly in the areas responsible for regulating emotion and impulses. One change that occurs is a decrease in dopamine receptors, which can lead to depression, paranoia, and psychosis. These changes can be long-lasting and may contribute to some people’s difficulties when trying to quit heroin.

The vascular structure of the brain includes a series of arteries and veins that supply blood to different parts of the brain. Heroin can harden veins over time. This is called venous sclerosis. Even though the condition most commonly affects the veins in the legs, it can also occur in other parts of the body. Venous sclerosis is a progressive condition, which means that it worsens over time. Early symptoms include mild pain and discomfort, but as the condition progresses, symptoms may become more severe. In advanced cases, venous sclerosis can lead to ulcers, infection, and disability. There is no cure for venous sclerosis, but treatment can help to manage symptoms and slow the progression of the condition. When veins are hardened, it can also affect the blood vessels in the brain.