INHALANTSBy Stephen Ferguson and Nick Reed

What are Inhalants?

Inhalants are volatile substances that elicit psychological changes when introduced into the body via the lungs.

https://sulli-plan-neuf.wikispaces.com/Inhalants

Stephen

History The modern era of Inhalants started when the British chemist

Joseph Priestley synthesized nitrous oxide with a slightly sweet odor and no noticeable taste.

In the early 19th century Inhalants became a way of rapidly becoming drunk without consuming alcohol.

Dentists also contributed greatly to the introduction of nitrous oxide as an anesthetic.

Inhalants came to the attention of the public in the 1950s when the media reported young people sniffing glue.

Compared to other drug groups Inhalants are relatively new to the general public.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LpFqVyx62o

Nick

3 Categories of Inhalants

Volatile Substances- substances that are evaporated at low temperatures.

Anesthetics- important therapeutic agents that can be found in a clinical setting.

Nitrates- chemicals that cause the widening of blood vessels resulting from relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls.(Vasodilation).

Nick

Volatile Solvents This category includes:Spray paints

Hair sprays

Deodorants

Air fresheners

Correction Fluids

Felt tip marker fluids

Other glues

Propane

Gasoline

Nail polish removers

Paint thinners

Dry cleaning fluids

Nitrous oxide

Stephen

Anesthetics

Ether

Chloroform

Halothane

Nitrous Oxide(Laughing Gas)

Stephen

Nitrates Mainly associated with “poppers” Poppers is a slang term for alkyl nitrates inhaled for

recreational purposes. Causes blood pressure to decrease.

Found In:

Air Fresheners and Video Head cleaners

Nick

12 Years and Older Drug Use in United States

http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/nationwide-trends

Nick

Stephen

Health Concerns Use of Inhalants by pregnant women may put newborns at

risk of developmental deficits. Case reports have documented developmental abnormalities

in the offspring of mothers who chronically abuse inhalants. Individuals who have abused inhalants for prolonged periods

report a strong need to continue inhalant use. A mild withdrawal phase can occur if a person is a long-term

inhalant abuser. Inhalant users are more likely to start using other drugs like

alcohol, cigarettes, and almost all other drugs at a younger age.

If you are using inhalants while you have respiratory condition, then the affects of the condition can worsen.

Stephen

Medical Usage

Inhalants can be used as therapeutic agents.

Nitrous Oxide(laughing gas) is used in clinical settings on patients. Most of the time it is used for its anesthetic effects.

http://www.eastasiaforum.org

Nick

Mechanisms of Action Nitrous oxide has a pattern of effects that include stimulant,

depressant, and hallucinogenic effects. However the exact mechanism of action on the central nervous system (CNS) is poorly understood.

Volatile substances are rapidly absorbed from the lungs and spread throughout the CNS affecting the properties of lipid membranes. The changes in cell membranes affect multiple cell-signalling processes.

Within seconds of inhalation, the user experiences intoxication along with other effects similar to those produced by alcohol. Alcohol-like effects may include slurred speech, an inability to coordinate movements, euphoria, and dizziness.

Nick

Absorption Inhaled chemicals are rapidly absorbed through

the lungs into the bloodstream and quickly distributed to the brain and other organs.

Fatty tissue absorbs solvent vapors. Due to their ready absorption into fat, solvents rapidly effect the myelinated nerves in the central and peripheral nervous system.

Stephen

http://botswana-alcoholaids.tripod.com/id38.html

Stephen

Physical and Psychological Dependence High potential for physical abuse even though the

users are aware of the negative effects and how it is hurting them they have the need to keep on using.

Withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, depression, loss of appetite, irritation, aggressive behavior, dizziness, tremors and nausea.

Nick

Questions:

How are inhalants distributed throughout the body?

-through the lungs and into the bloodstream. What are some withdrawal symptoms? -anxiety, depression, loss of appetite, irritation, aggressive behavior, dizziness, tremors and nausea.

Nick/Stephen

Work CitedDoogue, M. New Zealand , (2005). death due to butane abuse—the clinical pharmacology of inhalants. Retrieved from Department of Clinical Pharmacology, website: http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/118-1225/1732/

Hanson, G., Venturelli, P., & Fleckenstein, A. (2012). Drugs and society. (11th ed., pp. 420-427). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning.

National Institute on Drug Abuse, (2012). nationwide trends. Retrieved from The Science of Drug Abuse and Addiction website: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/nationwide-trends