What Is Fentanyl: Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, a man-made drug designed to mimic the effects of natural opiates like heroin and opium. It is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine and is prescribed to treat severe pain after surgery or during cancer treatment.
The drug is available in several forms and under many different brand names. It can be administered by injection, as a patch, and in the form of a sublingual tablet.
Affects of Fentanyl on the Brain: Medical professionals prescribe Fentanyl to patients suffering from chronic pain or flare-ups of unbearable pain despite ongoing narcotic treatment, called breakthrough pain. The substance behaves similarly to heroin and morphine by working with the brain’s opioid receptors. The opioid centers are areas in the brain that manage pain and emotions.
The brain works by binding Fentanyl to the opioid receptors, causing dopamine levels in the brain to increase and induce euphoria, relaxation, and contentment. The effects of Fentanyl come on rapidly but are short-lived, generally lasting only one to two hours.
Even when used as prescribed, Fentanyl side-effects can include:
- Mood changes
- Headaches
- Coldness
- Drowsiness
- Depression
- Dry mouth
- Stomach pain
- Indigestion
- Back pain
- Itching
- Decreased libido
- Agitation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Chest pain
- Seizures
- Diarrhea
- Shortness of breath
Fentanyl harbors a massive addiction potential because of its strength and pharmacology, whether sourced legally or illegally.