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Inhalants and GHB

Inhalants and GHB. Presented and put together by: Allie Stoecker , Molly Schlichenmayer , and Kaylyn Evans. Inhalants. From the book: “Represent a novel group of abused substances” (pg. 366). Characteristics: 1) either volatile liquids or gases at room temp.

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Inhalants and GHB

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  1. Inhalants and GHB Presented and put together by: Allie Stoecker, Molly Schlichenmayer, and Kaylyn Evans

  2. Inhalants • From the book: “Represent a novel group of abused substances” (pg. 366). • Characteristics: • 1) either volatile liquids or gases at room temp. • 2) used by sniffing fumes, inhaling fumes, or spraying an aerosol directly into one’s nose or mouth • 3) do not belong to another defined class of abused substances

  3. 4 Groups of Inhalants • Volatile solvents = liquid at room temp. but give off fumes that can be inhaled • Adhesives, correction fluids, paint thinners & removers • Aerosols = sprays that contain various solvents and propellants • Hair spray, vegetable oil cooking sprays • Gases • Whipped cream dispensers, propane tanks, butane lighters • Nitrites = compounds of nitrogen • Amyl nitrite, butyl nitrile, cyclohexyl nitrite

  4. Behavioral Effects • First 3 classes are taken for euphoric effects • Nitrites are taken to heighten sexual arousal & pleasure • Many of the effects are similar to alcohol intoxication • Initially: euphoria, stimulation, disinhibition, followed by drowsiness and light-headedness • Heavier exposure: stronger depressant effects including slurred speech, poor coordination, sensory distortions • Even higher does: anesthesia, loss of consciousness, coma • Some individuals experience delusional ideas

  5. Behavioral Effects - Tolerance • Repeated use has been found to sometimes lead to tolerance • Rewarding and reinforcing effects • Little is known about the mechanisms of RFT • Possible Inhalant Withdrawal Syndrome: • Nausea, tremors, irritability, sleep disturbances • But this still remains controversial

  6. Neural Effects • Reduces CNS excitability and causes behavioral impairments • First 3 groups act directly on nerve cells • But not all will work the same way on the brain • Different chemical compositions • Substances are highly lipid soluble, so cross BBB easily and quickly

  7. Neural Effects (cont.) • CNS-depressant effects due to interactions with various ionotropic receptors • Enhance the function of GABAA and glycine receptors • Inhibit the activity of NMDA-glutamate receptors

  8. 15.2  PET images of brain uptake and distribution of radiolabeled toluene in a baboon

  9. Health Risks • Will make you dumb(er)! • Performed more poorly on several neuropsychological tests, showing cognitive impairment • Repeated use can damage the liver, kidneys and lungs • Brain is vulnerable to toxicity • Damage to the white matter thru loss of myelin • Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome • A single use can lead to a fatal cardiac arrhythmia

  10. GHB • Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate • Closely related to GABA, but crosses BBB more easily • Produces sedation and sometimes anesthesia • Administered per os • Rapidly absorbed

  11. History • Henri Laborit • 1980’s – body-builders • Banned in 1990, but then became a “club drug” and later a “date rape” drug • 2000, Schedule I drug • Sometimes still used in patients with narcolepsy (to reduce the incidence of cataplexy)

  12. Behavioral Effects • Low doses: produce alcohol-like experience • Higher doses: lethargy, ataxia, slurred speech, dizziness, nausea, vomiting • Paradoxical CNS excitation at high doses • Overdose is dangerous due to respiratory depression and comatose condition

  13. Neural Effects and Tolerance • Possibly inhibits DA release • Evidence for reinforcement is inconsistent • Fewer adverse effects • Reports of dependence are only from case studies and self-reports • Withdrawal symptoms are reported • Insomnia, anxiety, tremors, psychosis for higher doses

  14. Hypotheses for Mechanism of Action • 1. Mediated by activation of pre- &/or postsynaptic GABAB receptors • Possibly a direct GABAB agonist with low affinity • Possibly metabolized to GABA in the brain • 2. Mediated by specific GHB receptor • But receptor structure is not known • Seem to be non-uniformly distributed • High levels of binding in some areas, but not in others • Endogenous GHB and exogenous GHB thought to activate central receptors

  15. Both GHB and Inhalants are CNS depressants

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