Heart, blood and circulation – Heroin slows slows down your circulation and heart rate. Heroin also increases the size of certain blood vessels (making you feel warm).
Stomach – It depresses bowel activity, which can result in constipation. Heroin can make you feel sick, and first-time users often vomit.
Lungs – Heroin suppresses your cough reflex and slows down your breathing, causing hyperventilation. This can put you at risk of lung disease. An overdose of heroin can cause respiratory failure and death.
Nervous system – At higher doses, sedation takes over and you become drowsy. An excessive dose can produce stupor and coma, and possible death.
Sexual organs – Heroin can cause irregular periods in women. In both men and women, it can make you lose interest in sex, and affect your sexual performance.
