WHY IS FENTANYL DANGEROUS?
Answering why fentanyl is dangerous is as simple as explaining the effects of opioids. Opioids work by attaching to opioid receptors in the brain. These neurotransmitters are responsible for feelings of pleasure and pain, so when this synthetic drug attaches to them, it can relieve pain and induce a sense of euphoria.
Even after the first dose, a person’s body will crave the drug again. This is due to the brain’s reward centers. The pleasurable chemicals released by this process in the brain are reinforcing, enough that the negative effects seem inconsequential to the user.
One of the reasons why fentanyl is so dangerous is due to the side effects of repetitive use. In addition to pain relief and pleasure, here are some of the harmful symptoms of a fentanyl addiction:
- Drowsiness, insomnia;
- Nausea, vomiting;
- Trouble focusing or making decisions;
- Slowed heart rate;
- Decreased, shallow or irregular breathing;
- Sedation;
- Loss of consciousness;
This list is by no means exhaustive, and does not include the negative effects of fentanyl on your social, work and daily life.
The most dangerous side effect of fentanyl is
overdose. Sadly, this is the route that any addiction will take if left untreated. Due to the nature of these substances, as a tolerance builds so will the impact of the drug. Overdose typically is due to a depressed central nervous system.
According to
Mayo Clinic,
. Because opioids are so effective at pain relief, an addiction may develop, even when someone is only using the medication that was prescribed.
While fentanyl works like other opioids, it’s also much more potent. The DEA states that
as a analgesic drug.
Why is fentanyl dangerous? Generally, it’s because of the large dosage that many people consume. The DEA states that about 2 milligrams of the pure substance is sufficient to be considered a lethal dose. Among confiscated pills that have been illegally distributed and tested for fentanyl,
.