Inhalants - Effects on the Body
Effects on the Body
In The Consumers Union Report on Licit and Illicit Drugs, Brecher pointed out that "drugs of many kinds reach the brain more rapidly and efficiently when they are sniffed rather than swallowed." Inhalants deliver their mind-altering effects very quickly, satisfying the desires of users looking for a near-instant high. The effects occur within seconds.
Similar to Alcohol Intoxication
Most toxic vapors (except nitrites) act as depressants on the people who inhale them. The action of these vapors is similar to that of alcohol, sedatives, and anesthetics. (Sedatives are drugs used to treat anxiety and calm people down.) Users may actually feel slightly stimulated at first. They report feeling happy, giddy, and excited. This effect often occurs with the first alcoholic beverage that a person consumes. In fact, the effects of inhalants closely resemble drunkenness. But, like alcohol, the depressant action of inhalants kicks in soon after the initial stimulation. Users then begin to feel more relaxed and less inhibited.
Continued inhalation makes the user feel light-headed and drowsy. Higher doses may bring on feelings of agitation and anger, impaired judgment, slurred speech, muscle weakness, slowing of the reflexes, and a lack of coordination. Dizziness, tiredness, headache, nausea, and vomiting may also occur.
The Effects Intensify
Heavy inhalant use often causes people to feel completely out of control. Among the most frightening symptoms of heavy use are hallucinationsVisions or other perceptions of things that are not really present. and delusionsFalse, unshakable beliefs indicating severe mental difficulties; 'delusional' refers to the inability to distinguish between what is real and what seems to be real.. The authors of the NIDA Research Report titled "Inhalant Abuse" state: "If sufficient amounts are inhaled, nearly all solvents and gases produce anesthesia, a loss of sensation, and even unconsciousness."
With time, regular abusers experience personality and behavioral changes. They may show signs of memory loss and an inability to reason. Severe mood swings, violent behavior, depression, hyperactivity, physical and mental dependence, and tolerance are often seen among long-time abusers as well. Tolerance is a condition in which higher and higher doses of a drug are needed to produce the original effect or high experienced.
The irritating effects of inhaled chemicals can cause abusers to sneeze repeatedly, cough heavily, and even drool. Other observable signs of inhalant use include pale skin, breath that smells like chemicals, weight loss, nosebleeds, bloodshot eyes, tremors, and even seizures. Inhalants are dangerous for pregnant women and their developing babies. Studies of animals indicate that inhalant use by mothers leads to low birth weights, skeletal abnormalities, and developmental delays in exposed offspring.
Organ and Nerve Damage
Depending on the chemicals involved, inhalants damage the heart, liver, kidneys, bone marrow, and lungs. They may also reduce the blood's ability to carry oxygen throughout the body.
Shrinking the Brain:
The use of inhalants can damage the brain and the network of nerves that connects the brain and spinal cord to other organs. As described in NIDA's article "Mind over Matter: Inhalants," the vapors from inhalants "don't go away when you exhale." Instead, they stay in your brain and nervous system "for a long time."
The effects of inhalants on the brain can be devastating. In 2002, NIDA conducted a study using brain imaging techniques and other tests to compare the effects of inhalants and cocaine on the brain. Robert Mathias explained in NIDA Notes that long-term inhalers of volatile solvents showed more extensive brain abnormalities than cocaine abusers. All of the participants in the NIDA study had abused either cocaine or inhalants regularly for at least ten years. toluenePronounced TOL-yuh-ween; a household and industrial solvent common in many inhaled substances, including model airplane glue, spray paint, correction fluid, paint thinners, and paint removers. was the most-abused product among the members of the inhalant-abusing group. Mathias noted that the inhalant abusers "did significantly worse than cocaine abusers on tests of working memory and the ability to focus attention, plan, and solve problems." They also had difficulty controlling their behaviors.
Inhalants are attracted to fatty tissue like a magnet is attracted to steel. Researchers suggest that this attraction is what causes nerve and brain damage in inhalant abusers. Nerve cell fibers in the brain and body are surrounded by white fatty wrappers called myelin (MY-uh-linn) sheaths. Since myelin sheaths are made of fat, inhalants are quickly drawn to them. The chemical vapors in inhalants can damage the myelin, slowing the ordinarily rapid flow of messages from one nerve to another. Mathias noted that these effects dull the part of the brain involved in intellectual activities such as language comprehension. The authors of "Mind over Matter" explained: "Someone who repeatedly uses inhalants may lose the ability to learn new things, may not recognize familiar things, or may have a hard time keeping track of simple conversations."
The toxic chemicals in inhalants are stored in fatty tissue in the body for weeks. Thus, when long-term abusers attempt to quit, they may develop withdrawal symptoms several hours to a few days after
stopping the abuse. Withdrawal symptoms are the physiological effects one experiences as the body adjusts to not having the drug anymore. Common withdrawal symptoms for inhalants include hand tremors, excessive sweating, constant headache, rapid pulse, sleeping difficulties, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, and possibly hallucinations and seizures.
Toluene: An Example of a Brain-Damaging Solvent:
Damage to nerve fibers in the brain is particularly associated with toluene abuse. Toluene is a liquid hydrocarbonA compound containing only two elements: carbon and hydrogen; hydrocarbons are found in petroleum and natural gas. that is used as a solvent and a gasoline additive. Its chemical formula is C7H8. Toluene is clear, strong-smelling, and highly flammable. According to Francha Roffe Menhard in The Facts about Inhalants, "shortly after inhalation, concentrations of toluene may be ten times greater in the brain than in the blood."
Users inhale toluene because it seems to activate a neurotransmitterA substance that helps spread nerve impulses from one nerve cell to another. called dopamine (pronounced DOPE-uh-meen), which controls movement, emotion, motivation, and pleasure. The authors of NIDA's "Inhalant Abuse" report note that "the dopamine system has been shown to play a role in the rewarding effects of many drugs of abuse." Because it activates the "feel-good" centers of the brain, this dangerous solvent can cause dependence in users.
Volatile solvents such as toluene dissolve fats. That is what makes them so useful as degreasers and industrial-strength cleaners. When breathed in through the mouth or nose, however, toluene goes straight to the brain, where it begins its "dissolving" action. Indeed, brain scans of long-term heavy toluene abusers show visible shrinkage of brain tissue. Toluene tends to affect areas of the brain that control physical movement. Abusers of this type of inhalant often have trouble coordinating their movements. The way they walk may seem stiff or spastic. Toluene can also produce giddiness, headaches, and even deliriumA mental disturbance marked by confusion, hallucinations, and difficulty focusing attention and communicating. in users.
Sudden Sniffing Death (SSD)
In the January 24, 2005, issue of the Washington Post, Shankar Vedantam pointed out that it is hard to estimate the actual number of fatalities caused by inhalants because so "many deaths linked to abuse go unreported or are listed as accidents." The National Inhalation Prevention Coalition (NIPC), a nonprofit organization based in Austin, Texas, issued guidelines to assist medical examiners and coroners in recognizing and reporting inhalant deaths. The most common cause of inhalant abuse death is sudden sniffing death (SSD) syndromeDeath that occurs very quickly after inhaled fumes take the place of oxygen in the lungs; SSD is most often caused by butane, propane, and aerosol abuse.. SSD occurs when the heart loses its regular rhythm and begins to beat in a fast and irregular manner. The NIPC guidelines describe a "typical scenario" of SSD: The victim experiences a sudden threat while under the influence of an inhalant. He or she may fear discovery by a teacher, a parent, or a police officer or be frightened by an extremely realistic hallucination. Then, "the individual begins to flee and suddenly collapses and dies at the scene."
When an otherwise healthy individual, especially a young person, dies for no apparent reason, inhalant abuse is considered as a possible cause. According to the NIPC guidelines, postmortem examinationsExamining the body after death; also called an autopsy. of an inhalant overdose victim may reveal:
- paint stains on the face, hands, or clothing
- correction fluid stains on the fingernails
- skin eruptions known as "huffer's rash" on the face and mouth
- chemical burns on the face or hands
- burns on the mucus membranes of the mouth and airway
- eye irritation
- cyanosis—bluish or purplish skin caused by a lack of oxygen in the blood
- the presence of vomit in the mouth and lungs
Sometimes, clues to the inhaler's death can be found near the body. The presence of the following items all point to the possibility of an inhalant-related death: 1) plastic bags; 2) balloons; 3) chemical-soaked rags; 4) open or crushed felt-tip pens; 5) empty glue tubes or aerosol cans; or 6) open bottles of nail polish, nail polish remover, or correction fluid.
Nitrites and AIDS
Nitrites carry special risks, even with occasional use. Nitrites significantly decrease the inhibitionsInner thoughts that keep people from engaging in certain activities. of people who use them, making them more likely to engage in risky activities, such as having unprotected sex. In addition, drug researchers suspect that nitrite abuse reduces the efficiency of the immune system. This may hinder the body's efforts to fight infections and resist the growth of tumors. According to NIDA, users of nitrites put themselves at a high risk for contracting HIV (the human immunodeficiency virus), which can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
The Death Toll
Inhalant abusers can die, even the first time they sniff, huff, or bag. Death can be caused by the physical effects of the chemicals or by the dangerous behavior related to the user's impaired state of mind. The noxiousPhysically harmful. vapors in inhalants take the place of oxygen in the lungs. Other inhalant-related causes of death include: 1) asphyxiationDeath or unconsciousness caused by one of three things: 1) a lack of adequate oxygen, 2) the inhalation of physically harmful substances, or 3) the obstruction of normal breathing.; 2) suffocation—an inability to breathe due to a blockage of air to the lungs; 3) choking on vomit; and 4) accidents—such as car crashes, drownings, falls, and burns—caused by the mental and physical effects of inhalants.
As of July of 2005, the NIPC reported approximately 100 to 150 inhalant deaths per year based on news reports and contacts with victims' families. However, according to the NIPC Web site, the actual number is probably much higher. "Inhalant abuse related fatalities are underreported," state NIPC authors, "because they may not be recognized … or because of a perceived stigma [shame or disgrace]." Although inhalant abusers come from a variety of social backgrounds, inhalant use is often associated with poverty, low academic achievement, and unemployment.
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