Heroin is an illegal drug that accounts for approximately 90% of opiate addiction in the United States. It is a most commonly injected directly into the bloodstream through the use of hypodermic needles. Heroin, just like other opiates, inhibits the production of endorphins in the brain. Endorphins are the body’s natural way of dealing with … Read more

OxyContin is the brand name for a time-released version of the prescription painkiller oxycodone, a powerful narcotic often prescribed for severe and chronic pain. According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, approximately 1.9 million Americans have illegally taken some form of oxycodone as a recreational drug. OxyContin abuse occurs most often when the drug … Read more

Clonazepam is a prescription medication that functions in the brain as a benzodiazepine receptor agonist, often proving to be an effective short-term treatment for disorders ranging from epilepsy and seizures to panic attacks, anxiety and mania. As is the case with all drugs in the benzodiazepine family, long-term use often leads to dependency or full … Read more

An analgesic opiate, propoxyphene has been used medically to alleviate pain, suppress coughing and anesthetize patients before minor procedures. Considered a weaker form of opioid, propoxyphene serves to impede pain signals as they are transmitted from the brain to the rest of the body. Additionally, propoxyphene acts upon chemical messengers in the brain – specifically … Read more