Heroin

Injecting 7: From the heart to the brain

Part of the blood containing heroin molecules which leaves the heart via the aorta is pumped to the brain.

If the heroin was injected directly into a vein, not a single molecule goes astray. The entire dose arrives in the brain at approximately the same moment. This causes a rapid peak concentration of heroin in the brain. You experience a sudden, intense effect called a ‘rush’ or ‘buzz’. The rush that you get from injecting heroin is stronger than the high obtained from chasing, smoking or snorting.

If the heroin was injected intramuscularly, the molecules do not enter the brain at the same time, but more gradually. This diminishes the rush. In subcutaneous injection, it takes even longer for the drug concentration in the brain to reach a peak. This gives a still weaker rush.

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