Your Brain On Fentanyl (FIXED)

Summary

Fentanyl, a powerful opioid, has surged in use across North America, becoming a significant public health crisis. This drug, which is 50-100 times stronger than heroin and morphine, hijacks the brain's opioid receptors, leading to intense euphoria but also the risk of life-threatening overdose by suppressing the body's ability to detect CO₂. Its potency, combined with the ease of illicit production, makes fentanyl especially dangerous. Despite efforts to curb opioid prescriptions, the crisis worsens due to addiction, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl flooding illegal markets. Experts call for safer consumption sites and increased awareness to prevent further fatalities.

Takeaways

• 😀 Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid that has become a crisis in North and South America in recent years.
• 😀 It works by inhibiting pain signals along the brain and spinal cord, which is why it was initially prescribed for pain relief.
• 😀 Fentanyl hijacks the body's endorphin system by binding to opioid receptors, creating intense euphoria and relaxation.
• 😀 The drug can suppress the brain's ability to detect CO₂ levels, potentially causing a person to stop breathing.
• 😀 Common side effects of fentanyl include dizziness, chills, vomiting, fainting, difficulty urinating, and extreme constipation.
• 😀 Fentanyl is 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin, making it more dangerous.
• 😀 Fentanyl is highly fat-soluble, meaning it passes through the blood-brain barrier much faster than other opioids like morphine and heroin.
• 😀 A lethal dose of fentanyl is about two milligrams, which is roughly the size of two grains of salt, making overdose easy.
• 😀 First responders are at risk of overdose just from touching fentanyl or inhaling its dust, though some toxicologists question these reports.
• 😀 The opioid crisis has been worsened by widespread prescription of opioids, which leads to addiction and easy access to illicit markets.

Q & A

What is fentanyl and how does it affect the brain and body?

Fentanyl is a potent opioid that inhibits pain signals in the brain and spinal cord, initially used for pain relief. It also increases dopamine production, creating intense feelings of euphoria and relaxation, but can suppress the brain's ability to detect CO₂ levels, potentially causing a person to stop breathing.

How does fentanyl work differently compared to other opioids?

Fentanyl is significantly stronger than other opioids. It binds to opioid receptors in the brain much more strongly than natural endorphins or other opioids like morphine and heroin. It is also fat-soluble, allowing it to cross the blood-brain barrier rapidly, making it more potent even in very small doses.

Why is fentanyl so dangerous?

Fentanyl is dangerous because it is 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. A lethal dose is only around two milligrams, equivalent to two grains of salt, which makes overdose easy due to the precision required in dosing.

What are some of the common side effects of fentanyl use?

Side effects of fentanyl use include dizziness, chills, vomiting, fainting, difficulty urinating, and extreme constipation.

How does fentanyl differ from morphine and heroin in terms of passing the blood-brain barrier?

Both morphine and heroin are lipid-soluble but contain polar, water-loving groups that slow down their passage across the blood-brain barrier. In contrast, fentanyl is highly non-polar and fat-soluble, allowing it to enter the brain within seconds.

How much fentanyl is considered a lethal dose?

A lethal dose of fentanyl is typically around two milligrams, which is about the size of two grains of salt.

What are the risks of fentanyl exposure for first responders?

First responders are at risk of overdose from simply touching fentanyl powder or inhaling its dust, although there is some debate among toxicologists about the accuracy of these cases.

What can be done to counteract a fentanyl overdose?

An injection of naloxone can block opioid receptors and stop an overdose if administered in time.

How has fentanyl's presence in drug markets impacted the opioid crisis?

The increase in fentanyl availability has worsened the opioid crisis, with many individuals who are addicted to opioids turning to the illegal market for cheaper and more accessible fentanyl, which is easier to produce than heroin.

Why is fentanyl more accessible and dangerous compared to heroin?

Fentanyl is more accessible because it is entirely synthetic and can be produced cheaply anywhere, unlike heroin, which is derived from poppies. This ease of production has led to a surge in its presence in illicit drug markets.