The Chemical Properties of Heroin and Opioid Drugs

If you look at both both types of opioid drugs on a molecular level, they're almost the same. To illustrate this, let's take a closer look at how heroin and Oxycodone compare with one another.

Heroin's chemical formula is: C21H23NO5

Oxycodone's chemical formula is: C18H21NO4

Do you see how close they are to each other? They are both made up of the same compounds; carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen. Only a few molecules keep them from being exactly the same.

It makes sense, then, that both types of drugs affect the same opioid receptors in the in the brain. As this occurs, the brain's reward centers are targeted. This is what creates the euphoric feeling and sensation of being relaxed. Essentially, people get the same type of high from both kinds of opioid drugs.

The History of Heroin

Wikipedia tells us that heroin (diamorphine) was created in 1874 by a man named CR Alder Wright. He made the drug from morphine, which came from the opium poppy plant. At the time, he was experimenting with combining morphine with different acids.

It wasn't until 23 years later that diamorphine became popular and readily available. Another chemist named Felix Hoffman was working for Bayer in Germany at the time. He inadvertently created a drug that was much more powerful than morphine.

In 1895, Bayer trademarked the name Heroin and marketed it as an over the counter drug. It was said to be a substitute for morphine that worked well at suppressing coughs. At that time, the hope was that this new drug would serve as a non-addictive alternative.

Why is it Illegal?

Heroin may still be found today in some countries by prescription only. However, in the United States, and in most other countries, it is a Schedule I illegal substance.

Shortly after the drug was made available, its addictive nature was discovered. People began abusing it regularly. As a result, the Harrison Narcotics Tax Act was passed in 1914. This controlled the sale of this medication, as well as other, similar drugs. At that point, it was only allowed to be prescribed for medical purposes.

However, by 1924, the United States Congress banned the drug. It did not take long before other countries followed suit.

The History of Prescribed Opiates

The use of opioid drugs dates back to 3400 BC with the use of the opium poppy plant in lower Mesopotamia. At that time, it was referred to as the Joy Plant. It was enjoyed for its euphoric effects. Opium has been used recreationally for thousands of years.

It wasn't until between 1803 and 1805 that the first opiate drug was isolated by Friedrich Sertürner. In fact, this was the first time an active ingredient from a plant had been isolated. By 1827, the pharmaceutical company Merck began to market Morphine.

Many other drugs were created using Morphine as a base. Examples include Hydromorphone, Oxymorphone and of course, heroin. When heroin was made illegal, the production of additional opiate medications increased. That is why there are so many today.