When Heroin was a Medicine

Heroin is considered to be one of the most addictive substances in the world. Currently, its usage is highly controlled as it can cause lethal impacts on the human body if inhaled or injected. However, only about 100 years ago, this lethal chemical called Diamorphine was marketed under the trade name Heroin all over the world as a cure for all illnesses. Doctors used to prescribe the medicine as a non-addictive cough medicine, anti-snoring medication, a weight loss aid and also a sleeping pill. It was prized by its users for the elevated stimulation it created within the human mind after being injected. This is why, in 1895, a German pharmaceutical company called Bayer derived the name Heroine from the Greek word 'Heros' as heroin was believed to create heroic effects on a user. However, scientists soon began to realise their fateful mistake. In 1924, the United States Congress banned its sale, importation or manufacture in the USA and termed it as a narcotic. The League of Nations banned its sale, trade and manufacture all over the world in 1925. However, it took several more years to remove this medicine – heroin – from doctors' prescriptions as a cough medicine and weight loss aid.