Inhalants

Category: Many substances fall into the inhalants family, including solvents (paint thinner, nail polish remover), adhesives (glue, special cements) fuels ( propane, gasoline) propellants (used in aerosol spray cans) and anesthetics (ether, chloroform, nitrous oxide/laughing gas), etc.

• These substances are volatile, meaning they evaporate quickly when exposed to air and the fumes can be inhaled.
• Sometimes the substance is heated to speed up vaporization and increase concentrations in the air.
• The main chemical ingredients vary from one substance to another and include butane, acetone, ethyl acetate, tetrachloroethylene, toluene, and alkyl nitrites (poppers).
• The usual method of administration is to fill a bag or soak a cloth with the substance and hold the bag or cloth over the face. Sometimes, balloons are used. Aerosols and propellants may be sprayed directly into the mouth and nose.

*Reactions and experiences may vary dramatically from person to person.*

Effects on brain:

Short term:

• These substances are completely absorbed from the lungs and reach the brain very quickly
• The diverse chemical groups of these drugs have similar propreties, including: enhancement of the inhibitory transmitters GABA and glycine and the attenuation of the NMDA receptors for the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate (similar to the effects of alcohol and barbiturates)

• Possible long term effects include short term memory loss, cognitive impairment, damage to the cortex and cerebellum, damage of the myelin (causing effects resembling those of multiple sclerosis) and reduced blood flow to the brain.

Effects on body:

Short term:

• Possible short term effects include feelings of warmth, lightheadedness, dizziness, muscle relaxation, throbbing sensation, enhanced penile engorgement, coughing, irritation of the eyes, tremors, weakness, movement difficulties, coma, seizures, death (SSD- sudden sniffing death, usually from heart failure. Usually occurs only with repetitive & rapid administration at high doses).

• Possible long term effects include liver and kidney damage caused by toxic metabolites of the drug, cardiac complications including cardiac arrest, nosebleeds, ulcers of the nose and mouth, tremor, loss of hearing and smell and weight loss.

Effects on behavior:

Short term:

• Possible short term effects include euphoria, exhilaration, slurred speech, disorientation, very vivid hallucinations and delusions.

• Possible long term effects include slurred speech, emotional instability, depression, and lethargy.

Addiction: Psychological addiction is very likely to happen; physical addiction hasn’t been studied extensively for ethical reasons.

Tolerance: Depends on the particular substance, on its duration of action, and on the extent of its use.

Withdrawal Symptoms:Possible withdrawal symptoms include headaches, nausea and vomiting.

*Disclaimer! Nothing you do can make using inhalants completely safe. All drug use has inherent risks and dangers. The suggestions in this section can only help you reduce some of the associated risks. The best way to avoid the harms related to drug use is to not take the drug at all.*

• Drug use affects the developing mind and body differently than developed ones. Waiting until your mind and body have more fully developed before using substances can have long term health and mental benefits.
• Breathing through a soaked cloth ensures that a supply of fresh air will be mixed with the vapor with each breath
• Do not attempt complex physical movement/activities, especially not driving
• Effects on the nervous system and organs are not reversible.
• If swallowed or too much has been inhaled, call 911 or Poison Control (see the first page of your phonebook, or visit Healthy Cleaning 101 Safety page.
• Contact with the skin causes irritation and rashes and extensive use can damage the nose and lungs.
• Inhalants are highly flammable. Be careful when using cigarettes, candles, and lighters.
• Do not use in a closed space, such as a car or a small room. If you do use in a small, closed space avoid using lighters, candles, cigarettes etc.
• Studies show that poppers reduce the functioning of the immune system for several days after use.
• Because some inhalants cause blood vessels to open, it is easier to get an infection, including sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV.
• Casual and frequent users are at the same risks for all the side effects
• Possession of anesthetics and nitrites without a doctor’s prescription is illegal.
• Using Poppers along with Viagra or depressants is risky and may result in a severe decrease in blood pressure.