Heroines' heroin

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The molecular formula, the chemical structure, and the nature of heroin are as complicated as human nature, and structure; but it is now found that the heroin is overpowering heroines (and heroes too, maybe) in reel as well as in real lives by influencing their brains, and neurons. The overpowering of heroin is reshaping minds and matters of individuals as well as society in the vicinity, near and far. The shape of things in the Bollywood (Mumbai Cine town) at present; and as it is evolving; taking hitherto assumed to be role models for millions is getting revealed menacingly. Thanks to the news on television channels, we are coming to know about the unpalatable facts coming out from the individuals associated with the so-called silver screens.

When heroin, oxycodone, or any other opiate travels through the bloodstream to the brain, the chemicals attach to specialized proteins, called mu-opioid receptors, on the surfaces of opiate-sensitive neurons (brain cells). The linkage of these chemicals with the receptors triggers the same biochemical brain processes that reward people with feelings of pleasure when they engage in activities that promote basic life functions, such as eating and sex. Opioids are prescribed therapeutically to relieve pain, but when opioids activate these reward processes in the absence of significant pain, they can motivate repeated use of the drug simply for pleasure.

One of the brain circuits that is activated by opioids is the mesolimbic (midbrain) reward system. This system generates signals in a part of the brain called the ventral tegmental area (VTA) that result in the release of the chemical dopamine (DA) in another part of the brain, the nucleus accumbens (NAc). This release of DA into the NAc causes feelings of pleasure.

Other areas of the brain create a memory. It associates the good feelings with the circumstances and environment in which they occur. The venue and group of members in the venues thus are compulsive sort of things (conditioned associates). In the early stages of abuse, the simulation of the brain's reward system is one of the primary reasons for some people to take drug repeatedly. Often, the compulsion to use opioids builds over time to extend beyond a simple drive for pleasure. This stage is related to - tolerance and dependence.


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