SKIN POPPING

The physical effects of cocaine include increased heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration.  The increase in blood pressure is largely due to the constriction of blood vessels.

When the blood vessels constrict, the blood flow to the involved area is reduced.  If the blood flow is reduced sufficiently and for a long enough time, the tissue dies.  The healing process results in scar formation.

The upper picture shows the scarred arms of an addict who was skin popping amphetamines as well as the synthetic narcotic Talwin.  The scarring of the arms is the result of blood vessel constriction by the amphetamine as well as the reaction of the tissue to the calcite filler in the Talwin tablets.

The lower picture shows a microscopic view of the filler from Talwin as it appeared when trapped in the lungs of a junkie who was injecting crushed up pills.

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