cns depressants: inhalants Flashcards
(49 cards)
how do CNS depressants affect brain activity?
they reduce brain activity which is why their called downers
what is another name for depressants and explain the function?
sedative-hypnotics
sedatives: calm anxiety
hypnotics: induce sleep
what is the main target of depressants?
GABA receptors
what are the 2 GABA receptors and what are their functions?
GABAa: inhibitory, ionotropic
- Cl- into the cell
- Many depressants are positive allosteric modulators of GABA-A receptor - they change confirmation so it is more responsive to GABA binding
GABAb: inhibitory, metabotropic
- K+ out of the cell
what are the types of CNS depressants?
- inhalants
- alcohol
- sedative hypnotics
a. Barbiturates
b. Benzodiazepines
c. γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
what is an inhalant?
Any breathable chemical that alters cognitive function or level of consciousness
what are characteristics of inhalant?
- Inhalants are volatile substances
- Legal status
they are NOT regulated by DEA because they are misused household products that have a intended use
what are types of inhalants?
- volatile solvents: gas, paint thinner
- gases: butane, propane
- aerosols: hair sprays
- nitrites: amyl nitrite
who uses inhalants the most?
teens and pre teens due to lack of access
why is inhalants a 1st abused substance?
it is abused early in life before tobacco, alcohol, marijuana
how are inhalants administered?
- sniffing - direct inhalation of vapors
- spraying - dispensing from a spray can directly into the mouth
- huffing - breathing vapors from solvent-soaked rag
a. cuffing - soaking cuffs/ other clothing with
solvent & breathing vapors - bagging - placing compounds in a bag (paper/ plastic) & breathing the fumes
- inhaling - filling balloon with nitrous oxide and breathing it in
what is the absorption of inhalants?
incredibly rapid
what is the distribution of inhalants?
there is variable distribution - some leave the body quickly while others are stored in fat
what is the metabolism of inhalants?
mostly by enzymes in liver (some not at all)
what is the elimination of inhalants?
very rapid
what are the general inhalant pharmacodynamics?
- inhibit action potentials
- pos GABAa receptor modulator (increases inhibitory signals)
- NMDA receptor antagonist (blocks glutamate- so shuts down excitatory signals)
- produce short term effects similar to
anesthetics
what does inhalants generally do to the brain?
they cause white matter atrophy which is myelin breakdown
how do inhalants effect specific parts of the brain? what parts? what do they do?
- Cerebral cortex
Hallucinations, learning & memory impairment, permanent personality changes - Cerebellum
Loss of coordination & speech - Optic nerve
Degradation leading to visual impairment
why is it that inhalants can kill you during first time use?
they cause…
- asphyxiation
- suffocation
- seizures
- choking
what is sudden sniffing death?
where the user goes into sudden, unexpected cardiac arrest.1 out of every 4people who fall victim to SSDS were first-time users.
what are the stages of inhalant toxication?
stage 1: excitation, disinhibition, anxiolysis (reduced anxiety), euphoria
stage 2 (when depressant symptoms begin): early CNS depression, slow reaction time, slurred speech, visual problems
stage 3: medium CNS depression, psychomotor impairment, motor incoordination, confusion and delirium
stage 4: late CNS depression, confusion and stupor, seizures, coma and death
what are the 2 types of inhalants we will be discussing?
- volatile solvents
- anesthetics
what is the most commonly abused solvent? in what items is it found in? why is it most commonly abused?
toluene
found: paint thinner, nail polish, spray paint, glues
it is most commonly abused because it produces psychoactive effects
what is the route of admin of toluene?
huffing and bagging are most common
