Heroin and opioids depress the functions of brain (central nervous system).  Heroin use can cause feeling sick to the stomach and throwing up, severe itching, slowed or even stopped breathing, coma and death in case of overdose.

Short-term effects of heroin include a rush of good feelings and clouded thinking. Regular heroin use changes the functioning of the brain and using it repeatedly can result in : Tolerance – more heroin is needed to achieve the same “high”, dependence and addiction.