InhalantsInhalants

Psychology 3506Psychology 3506

IntroductionIntroduction

OK, now this is depressing….OK, now this is depressing…. Solvents, paints, nail polish remover, Solvents, paints, nail polish remover,

gasoline, lighter fluid…gasoline, lighter fluid… Late 50’s the media and cops picked Late 50’s the media and cops picked

up on glue sniffing, which seemed to up on glue sniffing, which seemed to have increased the amount of glue have increased the amount of glue sniffed….sniffed….

Same with aerosols in the 1970sSame with aerosols in the 1970s Now it is gasolineNow it is gasoline

AdministrationAdministration

SniffingSniffing HuffingHuffing SwallowingSwallowing Cloth can make sure you get fresh airCloth can make sure you get fresh air Bag concentrates itBag concentrates it From aerosol can tooFrom aerosol can too

Absorption, Distribution and Absorption, Distribution and ExcretionExcretion

Absorbed into lungsAbsorbed into lungs Passed quickly to brainPassed quickly to brain Concentration in blood approaches Concentration in blood approaches

concentration in air concentration in air Fatty tissue get the most (due to Fatty tissue get the most (due to

high lipid solubility)high lipid solubility)• BrainBrain• liverliver

Absorption, Distribution and Absorption, Distribution and ExcretionExcretion

Concentrations also drop quicklyConcentrations also drop quickly Through the lungsThrough the lungs More blood flow, faster reductionMore blood flow, faster reduction Toluene for example is metabolized Toluene for example is metabolized

in the liver though, most not exhaledin the liver though, most not exhaled Liver creates metabolites that may Liver creates metabolites that may

be toxicbe toxic

NeurophysiologyNeurophysiology

Effects seem similar to alcohol and Effects seem similar to alcohol and tranquilizerstranquilizers

Enhance GABAEnhance GABA Enhance glycineEnhance glycine Attenuate NMDA receptor for Attenuate NMDA receptor for

glutamateglutamate Seems to affect DA in mesolimbic Seems to affect DA in mesolimbic

dopamine system, but how, we dopamine system, but how, we dunnodunno

Behavioural EffectsBehavioural Effects

Like alcoholLike alcohol HallucinationsHallucinations SeizuresSeizures StuporStupor DeathDeath Probably impairs drivingProbably impairs driving

Effects, continuedEffects, continued

Tolerance, maybeTolerance, maybe Withdrawal, maybeWithdrawal, maybe Psychotic behaviourPsychotic behaviour CancerCancer Kidney damageKidney damage FSS?FSS? ODOD

Prevention and TreatmentPrevention and Treatment

Nasty additivesNasty additives EducationEducation Treatment is really toughTreatment is really tough

• They have lots of other problems usuallyThey have lots of other problems usually May take many attemptsMay take many attempts