Heroin is an opiate, and most opiates are used to treat pain, diarrhea or coughing, but unlike painkillers, antidiarrheals, and cough suppressants, heroin is used to get high. Two of the more common side effects of opiate use are nausea and vomiting, and both are controlled by the brainstem, which is located at the base of the brain and connects to the spinal cord. Many people think that opiate induced nausea and vomiting are allergic reactions, but that is not true. They are in fact normal functions of the brainstem.
Opiate induced nausea
Nausea is a highly distressing queasy feeling that may or may not result in vomiting. Vomiting is the expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth. There are two phases to vomiting, (1) the retching phase, which is recognized by stomach contractions without expulsion, followed by (2) the expulsion phase. The vomitus is generally highly acidic and malodorous.
The first time a person uses any type of opiate he or she becomes highly susceptible to an emetic response. It’s not a rule that a person has to get nauseous and throw up, but it’s common. Strangely enough, nausea and vomiting are regular events in the life of an opiate addict. In truth, many heroin addicts glean pleasure from vomiting, mainly because they perceive it to mean “strong heroin.”
We know that within hospitals, nausea occurs in 25 – 30 percent of patients treated with opiates. Since heroin involves greater average dosing and subsequent amplified effects, it results in higher than average emetic responses. Another interesting opiate fact is that nausea and vomiting occurs more in blacks than whites and more in women than men. We also know that “tolerance” develops to both nausea and vomiting, and that over time, both of these uncomfortable effects fade away. Furthermore, there are scientific studies which indicate that opiate induced vomiting occurs at doses lower than the dose needed for pain relief, which is one reason why opiates have limited usefulness.
Can heroin withdrawal kill you?
Opiates and the brainstem
The Chemoreceptor Trigger Zone (CTZ), which is part of the brainstem’s medulla oblongata, detects opiates circulating in the bloodstream. If enough opiates are detected, the CTZ reacts as if it were poison, and directs the stomach to get rid of it. It’s a common misconception to think that the stomach tells the brain it’s going to throw up, when in fact, it’s the brain commanding the stomach to vomit.
Why does this happen?
Immediately after heroin is administered, it metabolizes into 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM) and Morphine, which subsequently triggers the release of dopamine. The more 6-MAM, Morphine and dopamine detected by the Chemoreceptor Trigger Zone (CTZ), the greater the perceived threat and the greater the potential for throwing up. Although the precise mechanisms of opiate-induced nausea and vomiting are not entirely certain, it does appear that stimulation of CTZ opioid receptors is the primary reason.
Medulla Oblongata facts
The CTZ is part of the medulla oblongata, which is located at the lower brain stem. The brainstem is continuous with the spinal cord, which means that there is no clear delineation between the spinal cord and medulla oblongata, but rather the brainstem gradually transitions into the spinal cord. The medulla oblongata is also the oldest part of the nervous system, thus responsible for many involuntary functions, such as heart rate, breathing, sneezing, swallowing, coughing, and vomiting, which is why the medulla oblongata is considered to be the most important part of the brain.
Nausea treatment
The first line of defense against opiate induced nausea and vomiting would be to stop taking opioids (painkillers and heroin). Another but less common treatment for opioid induced nausea and vomiting is administration of an opioid-antagonist.
I get nauseous and throw up at least once a day and usually right after I shoot up. I don’t throw up as often if I smoke it, but I don’t smoke it very often. What’s really bad is that I never make it to the bathroom. It’s always in a basket, out the window, in a plant or garbage can. It’s embarrassing. If I shoot up when I am dopesick I’m even more likely to throw up. Is there is something I can take ahead of time to prevent this? If this keeps up I don’t know what I am going to do.
The key to not throwing up after you use is to only use on an empty stomach. That means no food or beverages for at least 40 minutes before you use. You may still gag, but you won’t have anything in your stomach to actually throw up. I used to throw up after using heroin. Just about everyday in fact. Oftentimes more than once a day. I threw up on coffee tables, dashboards, my dog, in flower pots, and much more. It always happened with very little notice. I felt nauseous and threw up a second or two later. One time, which I truly regret, I puked on my girlfriend. Let me tell you something. I don’t care how devoted a girlfriend you have, IF YOU PUKE ON YOUR GIRLFRIEND, and it’s because you’re doing heroin, it’s going to have an affect on the relationship.
I will speak my mind and tell you that I am a fool. A few years ago I was given a bag of heroin by a boy I just met. I didn’t enjoy it. We took turns smoking and getting sick. After a few weeks I start to need it because I felt ill if I didn’t have it. For the last 3 years I wanted to quit and eventually I did do that when I finally went to heroin rehab for two months, but as soon as I came back, I started again. I do not understand why I did it. Maybe I just wanted to fuck it all up again. I’m crying out for help.
Hi, I hope you’re still with us. Nothing, not rehabs nor friends/family can make you stay away from heroin, at least not until you’re ready. A lot of heroin addicts relapse and this doesn’t make you a bad person. Heroin is probably the most difficult drug to quit. Heroin withdrawal is mind boggling. The body goes to war with the mind. However, there is a once-monthly shot of Naloxone you can take—that totally cancels out the drug-effects opioids. You can talk to your doctor about it. In the meantime, try not to overdose on heroin and try not to forget when you put a needle full of heroin into your arm, you’re playing Russian roulette.
Take care Amity
I am at my wits end!!! My 30 yr old daughter got with a past close friend. She supposedly didnt know he was smokin crack and using H and Coke plus weed. They stole from me and broke into my neighbors home and stole and pawned jewelry etc. Neither of them work, they just lay about the house all day. I take care of her 2 gurls, my grandkids, morning and night and work 10 hours a day 6 days a week. He has been in jail since June 2016 and is still there, thank God. She has continued using one or the other ever since he got arrested. I get on her and we argue, and then she gets agitated and threatens me, in my own home. I have found her several times on the floor and her children have seen her on the floor too, and this pisses me off. I am to that point where I dont care anymore. I feel no pity for drug users and I would love to shoot the dealers in the face. I have no gun but I dream of this. Heroin has been forced into my life and it’s horrendous! I dont know which way to turn anymore. Do I go to the police and ask them to watch my house for drug activity? Do I go to DCF and let them know whats going on? I want my daughter gone so my grandkids can have a better life? The kids have lived in my home since birth. Please help…..
Heroin makes me want to throw up. From someone who has seen the horrendous effects of heroin throughout my own family, I’d suggest you do whatever is necessary to protect your grandkids. I can’t say what that best option is, but don’t let your daughter be a burden on your life or your kids’ lives. Your daughter is going to make her own choices and you shouldn’t feel bad for separating yourself and her kids from her if she is unfit to be a functioning parent. I’d suggest doing everything you can to avoid supporting her drug habit, whatever that may be. Drug rehab and heroin detox can fix the body, but only oneself can choose to stay clean and sober.
Your anger and frustrations are valid. Motherdom dictates your sympathy towards your daughter. You are not a failed mother, and now you have a chance to raise two more children with mindfulness and love. Your energy will be better spent cherishing and nourishing those young ones.
I always puke, I hate it. I want to quit, but I just can’t seem to quit, and I keep getting sicker and sicker everytime I try to quit.
I have been throwing up pretty much every time I get high. My girlfriend is catching on and thinks i’m using heroin again. Now I feel bad for lying.
Your girlfriend suspects you’re shooting heroin AGAIN and she is worried. Since your girlfriend is already suspicious you should not be shocked to find out she is going through your pockets when you’re asleep. She’s catching on and eventually she’s going to catch you, so you might as well tell her the truth sooner rather than later.
I know this is an old comment, I just wanted to point out that Joe did not mention shooting heroin, only using. While it is possible that your assumption is correct, I suppose it just made me a little nauseous to read it (along with the rest of your assumptions). Far too often, I read advice given by people that haven’t carefully read the post that they are responding to. It’s compassionate of you to offer your advice to Joe Roberts. This is just my friendly reminder to everyone here to think before they write, here and on all other forums.