Heroin, a potent opioid narcotic, is frequently abused in various forms, including injection, smoking, and snorting. The drug is available in different forms: powdered heroin, which can be directly snorted, and black tar heroin, which can be dissolved in water and then administered into the nasal passages using a medical spray bottle.

Can you snort heroin?

Choosing to snort heroin is sometimes perceived as a way to sidestep the stigma associated with needle use, and it does reduce certain risks linked to injecting the drug. However, it’s important to emphasize that snorting heroin is far from a safe practice. The dangers of overdose and the high potential for developing an addiction are significant risks that remain with this method of consumption. (1,3)

People often snort heroin because it is the easiest way to use the drug. Unlike other ways of using heroin, snorting doesn’t require specific equipment, like a syringe, lighter, or pipe. This makes it incredibly easy to carry around and use on the go. Snorting heroin doesn’t carry the same risk of contracting a bloodborne disease, like HIV or hepatitis C, that injecting heroin does. In addition, there is a social stigma attached to shooting up, and heroin users who snort the drug are often looking to subvert that stigma. (1,3)

How Snorting Heroin Affects the Brain and Body

When heroin is snorted, it quickly enters the bloodstream through the nasal tissues and travels to the brain. In the brain, heroin is converted back into morphine and binds to opioid receptors. This binding leads to a release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, which contributes to the drug’s addictive properties.

  1. Neurological Impact: The rush of dopamine creates a sense of euphoria, but with repeated use, the brain starts to adapt to these high levels of dopamine. This adaptation can lead to tolerance, where more heroin is needed to achieve the same effect, and dependence, where the brain relies on the drug to function normally.
  2. Physical Health Effects: Alongside the neurological impacts, snorting heroin can cause severe damage to the nasal passages and respiratory system. Chronic use can lead to issues like nosebleeds, loss of sense of smell, and frequent runny nose or sinus infections.
  3. Cognitive Functioning: Long-term heroin use can impair cognitive functions, leading to difficulties in decision-making, memory, and controlling behavior.
  4. Mental Health: The alteration of brain chemistry can also exacerbate or contribute to mental health disorders like depression and anxiety.

Immediate Effects of Snorting Heroin

  1. Rapid Onset of Euphoria: Due to the quick absorption into the bloodstream, users often experience an immediate, intense euphoria.
  2. Altered Mental State: Users may experience changes in mood, a sense of relaxation, and a disconnection from reality.
  3. Physical Symptoms: These can include dry mouth, a warm flushing of the skin, heavy feeling in the arms and legs, and nausea.

Short-Term Health Risks

  1. Nasal Damage: Repeated snorting can damage the delicate mucous membrane in the nose, leading to chronic nosebleeds, inflammation, and even a perforated septum.
  2. Respiratory Problems: Heroin can depress breathing, leading to hypoxia, a condition where the brain doesn’t get enough oxygen.
  3. Increased Risk of Infection: Snorting can lead to sinus infections and increased vulnerability to respiratory pathogens.

Long-Term Effects

  1. Addiction and Dependence: Heroin is highly addictive, and regular use can quickly lead to physical dependence and addiction.
  2. Cognitive Impairment: Long-term use can affect cognitive functions, impacting decision-making, memory, and emotional regulation.
  3. Mental Health Issues: Prolonged use can exacerbate or contribute to mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. (2,3,4)

Risks of Snorting Heroin

Snorting heroin also carries a significant risk of overdose, especially if the heroin is mixed with other substances like fentanyl. Overdose can lead to severe respiratory depression, coma, and death. Initially, the act of snorting can damage the nasal passages, causing irritation, nosebleeds, and inflammation. This method also exposes users to respiratory depression, a dangerous condition where breathing becomes shallow or stops, potentially leading to oxygen deprivation and brain damage. (5)

The risk of infection is heightened as well, with users facing an increased likelihood of sinus infections and respiratory infections due to the damage done to the nasal mucosa. Moreover, snorting heroin can rapidly lead to the development of tolerance, where more of the drug is needed to achieve the same effects, and physical dependence, characterized by withdrawal symptoms when not using the drug.

Over time, the chronic use of heroin through snorting can lead to long-term health issues. These include persistent nasal problems such as a perforated septum and a diminished sense of smell. Cognitive functions can also be impaired, affecting memory, decision-making, and emotional regulation. Additionally, prolonged heroin use is linked to an increased risk of mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety. (3,4,5)

Sources:

  1. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019). DrugFacts: Heroin.
  2. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018.) What are the medical complications of chronic heroin use?
  3. U.S. Department of Justice. (2003). Heroin Fast Facts.
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). CDC Health Advisory: Increase in Fatal Drug Overdoses Across the United States Driven by Synthetic Opioids Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
  5. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. (2017). Street fentanyl.