inhalants

Question 1

What are GHB prodrugs and how are they metabolized?

Answer 1

1,4-butanediol and GBL are converted into GHB via alcohol dehydrogenase enzymes.

Question 2

Where are GHB receptors found and what are their properties?

Answer 2

Found in the hippocampus and cortex; they are GPCRs with inhibitory, hyperpolarizing effects.

Question 3

Which GABA receptor does GHB act on?

Answer 3

Primarily GABA-B receptors; no action on GABA-A receptors.

Question 4

What are the subjective effects of GHB? (45 mins vs 1.5 hours)

Answer 4

~45 mins: stimulation, energy, increased dopamine in nucleus accumbens

~1.5 hrs: intoxication—dizziness, confusion, sedation (cortical & hippocampal inhibition)

Question 5

How do animals respond to GHB in drug discrimination studies?

Answer 5

Low doses = no response; higher doses = increased responding to GHB lever.

Question 6

What are GHB withdrawal symptoms?

Answer 6

Insomnia, anxiety, tremors, acute delirium.

Question 7

What is amyl nitrite known for?

Answer 7

Produces warmth, throbbing, and enhanced sexual experiences.

Question 8

Why are inhalants rapidly acting?

Answer 8

High lipid solubility leads to fast absorption and elimination (peak: 1–3 mins; half-life: ~20 mins).

Question 9

What are the acute receptor-level effects of toluene?

Answer 9

NMDA receptor antagonist

Positive modulator of GABA-A receptors (similar to ethanol)

Question 10

What happens with repeated toluene use?

Answer 10

Upregulation of NMDA receptors, decreased GABA-A receptor activity.

Question 11

How does toluene affect lever-pressing behavior?

Answer 11

Mimics amphetamine-like responses, especially with early or repeated exposure.

Question 12

How does toluene affect dopamine in the VTA?

Answer 12

Causes dose-dependent increases in dopamine neuron activity (staircase paradigm).

Question 13

What are the 4 stages of inhalant effects?

Answer 13

Euphoria, stimulation

Drunk-like state, slurred speech, hallucinations

Sensory blunting, motor impairment

Overdose: stupor, seizures, unconsciousness, cardiac arrest

Question 14

Which receptor is primarily responsible for inhalant subjective effects?

Answer 14

GABA-A receptor (positive modulators mimic inhalant effects more than NMDA antagonists)

Question 15

What are the long-term effects of heavy inhalant use?

Answer 15

Severe neural damage, especially to the auditory cortex and metabolic systems.