By Stephen Ferguson and Nick Reed
What are Inhalants?
Stephen
Inhalants are volatile substances that elicit
psychological changes when introduced
into the body via the lungs.
https://sulli-plan-neuf.wikispaces.com/Inhalants
History
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Nick
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
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
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
includes:
Stephen
Anesthetics
Ether
Chloroform
Halothane
Nitrous Oxide(Laughing Gas)
Stephen
Nitrates
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Nick
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
12 Years and Older Drug Use in
United States
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/nationwide-trends
Nick
Stephen
Health Concerns
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Stephen
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.
Medical Usage
Nick
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.
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http://www.eastasiaforum.org
Mechanisms of Action
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Nick
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.
Absorption
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Stephen
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
Physical and Psychological
Dependence
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Nick
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.
Questions:
Nick/Stephen
How are inhalants distributed throughout
the body?
-through the lungs and into the
bloodstream.
 What are some withdrawal symptoms?
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-anxiety, depression, loss of appetite,
irritation, aggressive behavior, dizziness,
tremors and nausea.
Work Cited
Doogue, 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/1181225/1732/
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