Fentanyl, although not a new drug, has seen a significant rise in usage over the past few years, leading to a severe crisis in North America. It’s so potent that even touching it can potentially cause an overdose. But what exactly happens to your brain and body when exposed to fentanyl?
Fentanyl is an opioid, a class of drugs known for their pain-relieving properties. It works by blocking pain signals in the brain and spinal cord, which is why it was initially used for pain management. Additionally, fentanyl triggers the brain to release large amounts of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of pleasure and relaxation. This effect is similar to the body’s natural endorphins but is much more intense.
However, this intense activation of opioid receptors can have dangerous consequences. It can impair the brain’s ability to monitor carbon dioxide levels in the body, which may lead to respiratory failure. Other side effects include dizziness, chills, vomiting, fainting, difficulty urinating, and severe constipation.
Fentanyl is incredibly potent—100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. Most drugs need to cross the blood-brain barrier to be effective, a selective barrier that allows only certain substances to enter the brain. While morphine and heroin are fat-soluble, they have polar water groups that slow their entry. Fentanyl, on the other hand, is highly non-polar and fat-soluble, allowing it to penetrate the brain almost instantly. This means that only a minuscule amount is needed to produce a high, making it extremely dangerous. A lethal dose can be as small as 2 milligrams, about the size of two grains of salt.
Due to its potency, dosing fentanyl requires extreme precision, making overdose a common risk. There have been reports of first responders overdosing from merely touching or inhaling fentanyl powder, though some experts question these claims. In cases of overdose, naloxone can be administered to block opioid receptors and reverse the effects, but the rapid emergence of new fentanyl analogs, like carfentanil, poses ongoing challenges. Carfentanil is 10,000 times more potent than morphine and has even been considered for use in chemical warfare.
Drug overdose deaths in the United States have been rising at an alarming rate, with 65,000 deaths in 2016, up from 59,000 in 2015. Opioid use is at the heart of this crisis, surpassing the peak death rates from guns, HIV, and car accidents. The widespread prescription of opioids for pain relief has led to widespread addiction, and the availability of these drugs has resulted in millions of pills being misused.
As the dangers of opioids became more evident, doctors began prescribing them less frequently. However, many individuals were already addicted, leading them to seek alternatives in illegal markets. To meet this demand, illicit drug markets turned to cheaper production methods. Unlike heroin, which is derived from poppies, fentanyl is primarily synthetic and can be produced inexpensively anywhere. China has become a major producer, and North American law enforcement is actively working to intercept these supplies. However, the UN suggests that addressing the crisis will require efforts to dissuade opioid use, as simply blocking production in one country may shift it to another.
Some experts advocate for government-supported safe consumption sites, where individuals with addiction can use drugs under supervision, reducing the risk of overdose. These sites also provide counseling and access to medications that help manage withdrawal symptoms, supporting individuals in their journey to recovery.
For further insights, check out our next video, where we explore the unexpected benefits of some illegal drugs and the latest research findings. Subscribe to our channel for more weekly science videos every Thursday.
Participate in an interactive seminar where you will explore how fentanyl and other opioids interact with brain receptors. Use 3D models to visualize the binding process and discuss the implications of these interactions on brain function and behavior.
Engage in a case study analysis focusing on real-world scenarios of fentanyl overdose. Work in groups to identify risk factors, symptoms, and emergency response strategies. Present your findings and propose potential solutions to mitigate overdose risks.
Participate in a structured debate on the implementation of government-supported safe consumption sites. Research the benefits and drawbacks, and argue your position with evidence-based points. This will enhance your understanding of harm reduction strategies in the opioid crisis.
Attend a workshop that delves into the chemistry behind synthetic drug production, focusing on fentanyl. Learn about the synthesis process, the challenges in regulation, and the impact of synthetic drugs on public health. Discuss ethical considerations and potential policy responses.
Conduct a research project where you investigate innovative solutions to the opioid crisis. Explore topics such as alternative pain management therapies, public health campaigns, or international cooperation in drug regulation. Present your research in a poster session to share insights with peers.
Fentanyl is not a new drug, but it has seen a dramatic increase in use over the past three years, leading to a crisis in North America. Simply touching it may cause an overdose. So, what exactly does it do to your brain and body?
Fentanyl is an opioid that inhibits pain signals in multiple pathways along the brain and spinal cord, which is why it was initially prescribed for pain relief. It also causes the brain to produce extra dopamine, creating sensations of intense euphoria and relaxation. Essentially, fentanyl hijacks the body’s built-in system of endorphins by binding to opioid receptors, similar to how endorphins work, but at a significantly stronger level.
While this may sound appealing, activating these receptors can suppress the brain’s ability to detect carbon dioxide levels in the body, potentially leading to respiratory failure. Side effects of fentanyl include dizziness, chills, vomiting, fainting, difficulty urinating, and extreme constipation.
Fentanyl is much stronger than other opioids—100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. For many drugs to be effective, they must pass the blood-brain barrier, which allows small fat-soluble substances to enter while inhibiting water-loving molecules. Both morphine and heroin are lipid-soluble but have polar water groups that slow their passage through the barrier. In contrast, fentanyl is extremely non-polar and fat-soluble, entering the brain within seconds. This means only tiny amounts are needed to achieve a high, which contributes to its danger. A lethal dose of fentanyl can be as little as 2 milligrams, roughly the size of two grains of salt.
Due to the precision required for dosing, it is very easy to overdose. There have been reported incidents of first responders overdosing from simply touching fentanyl powder or inhaling its dust, although some toxicologists question the accuracy of these cases. If administered in time, an injection of naloxone can be given to reverse an overdose by blocking opioid receptors. However, the science struggles to keep up with the rapid production of new fentanyl analogs, such as carfentanil, which is 10,000 times more powerful than morphine and has been associated with potential use in chemical warfare.
Drug overdose deaths in America are rising faster than ever, with 65,000 deaths in 2016 compared to 59,000 in 2015, and opioid use is at the center of the problem. This rate is higher than peak gun deaths, peak HIV deaths, and peak car crash deaths. Research indicates that widespread prescription of opioids for pain has led to addiction, and the ease of access for non-prescribers has resulted in millions of tablets falling into the wrong hands.
As the dangers became more apparent, doctors reduced prescriptions of opioids, but this did not change the fact that thousands of people were already addicted, leading them to seek out illegal markets. In response to increased demand, illicit drug markets turned to cheaper production methods. Unlike heroin, which is synthesized from poppies, fentanyl is largely synthetic and can be produced cheaply anywhere. China has become a major manufacturer of fentanyl, and North American law enforcement is working to seize supplies. However, the UN suggests that solutions to the crisis will require persuading people not to use opioids, as blocking China’s market may simply shift production to other countries.
Several experts are advocating for government support for safe consumption sites where individuals struggling with addiction can be supervised, minimizing the risk of overdose while receiving counseling and access to anti-withdrawal medications to help them stop using.
For more insights, check out our second video, where we explore the surprising benefits of some illegal drugs and what new research is revealing. Subscribe for more weekly science videos every Thursday.
Fentanyl – A potent synthetic opioid used as a pain medication and, together with other medications, for anesthesia. – Fentanyl is often used in medical settings to manage severe pain, but its misuse can lead to dangerous health consequences.
Opioid – A class of drugs that include both legal pain relievers available by prescription and illegal drugs like heroin. – Opioids act on the nervous system to relieve pain, but they also carry a high risk of addiction and overdose.
Brain – The organ in humans and other vertebrates that is the center of the nervous system and responsible for processing sensory information and regulating bodily functions. – Research in neuroscience often focuses on how different substances affect brain function and behavior.
Dopamine – A neurotransmitter that plays several important roles in the brain and body, including the regulation of mood, reward, and motor control. – The release of dopamine in the brain is associated with feelings of pleasure and reward, which can influence addictive behaviors.
Overdose – The ingestion or application of a drug or other substance in quantities greater than are recommended or generally practiced, leading to a toxic effect. – An opioid overdose can depress the respiratory system, leading to life-threatening consequences if not treated promptly.
Addiction – A chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking, continued use despite harmful consequences, and long-lasting changes in the brain. – Understanding the biological basis of addiction can help in developing more effective treatments for those affected.
Respiratory – Relating to or affecting respiration or the organs of respiration. – Opioids can depress the respiratory system, making it difficult for individuals to breathe properly.
Pain – An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. – Effective pain management is crucial in healthcare, but it must be balanced with the risk of addiction to pain medications.
Recovery – The process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential. – Recovery from addiction often involves a combination of medical treatment, counseling, and support groups.
Crisis – A time of intense difficulty or danger, often requiring immediate action to prevent worsening of the situation. – The opioid crisis has prompted public health initiatives aimed at reducing overdose deaths and improving access to treatment.
