Heroin was first synthesized in the late 19th century during an attempt to create a less potent and less addictive alternative to morphine. However, the result was a substance that was approximately two times more potent than morphine itself. Despite its highly addictive nature, heroin was initially embraced by the medical community and prescribed for various ailments, including coughs, back pain, and insomnia.
From 1898 to 1910, heroin was marketed as a non-addictive morphine substitute, and it was even used as an ingredient in cough syrups. The drug was believed to alleviate symptoms more effectively than other treatments available at the time, and it quickly gained popularity. Pharmaceutical companies advertised heroin as a safe and effective remedy, making it easily accessible to the general public.
