inhalants Flashcards
(10 cards)
1
Q
are inhalants legal
A
yes
- nail varnish remover
- aerosols
- gases
- not intended to be inhaled
2
Q
behavioural effects of inhalants
A
- euphoria, disinhibition, stimulation then lightheadedness, drowsiness
-slurred speech, ataxia, lethargy, hallucinations - aneasthetisia, coma
3
Q
origins of inhalants
A
- mystical practices
- spiritual
- nitrous oxide - humphry davy
4
Q
how are effects mediated in the brain
A
- rapidly absorbed - fat soluble
- distributed widely around brain
- especially striatum, thalamus, deep cerebellar nuclei
5
Q
why is it addictive
A
- dopamine is the substrate of normal reward systems
- mesolimbic pathway is implicated in natural reward and drug abuse
- funada et al 1992 - rats preferred side of chamber where substance would be involved - if provided with dopamine antagonist they don’t show this preference
- same brain areas are activated as alcohol, opiates and cannabis
6
Q
how does it effect the CNS
A
- inhalants enhance function of GABA and glycine inhibitory receptors
- inhalants inhibit excitatory NMDA glutamate receptors
- reduce CNS excitability
7
Q
chronic use - neurological
A
- slurred speech
- runny nose
- tiredness
- ulcers
- long term - confusion
- poor concentration
- depression
- irritability
- hostility
- paranoia
8
Q
adverse effects of inhalants
A
- sudden sniffing death syndrome - sudden rapid heart rhythms
- deadly blood disorder
9
Q
legal issues of inhalants
A
- can’t sell to someone who is likely to inhale them
- since october 1999 - offence to supply gas lighter refills to anyone under age of 18
10
Q
social issues of inhalants
A
- in the US about 6% of children have tried inhalants by 4th grade
- usage peaks between 7th and 9th grades
