Inhalants mental effects

Metallic mercury was widely used in early experiments in alchemy, and more recently in scientific instruments such as barometers which use has continued until this day. Consequently scientists have been at risk from both the acute and the chronic effects of exposure to mercury vapour. The metal vaporizes very readily at room temperature and can be absorbed through the lungs by inhalation. The effects include loss of memory and appetite, insomnia, depression, and paranoia. All of these symptoms were suffered by the famous scientist Sir Isaac Newton, and indeed his hair has been found to contain significant amounts of mercury. Despite this he lived to the age of 85 and his mental abilities were hardly in doubt Bleeding from the gums and gastrointestinal upsets are also effects. 

Inhalants depress the CNS, producing decreased respiration and blood pressure. Users report distortion in perceptions of time and space. Many users experience headaches, nausea, slurred speech, and loss of motor coordination. Mental effects may include fear, anxiety, or depression. A rash around the nose and mouth may be seen, and the abuser may start wheezing. An odor of paint or organic solvents on clothes, skin, and breath is sometimes a sign of inhalant abuse. Other indicators of inhalant abuse include slurred speech or staggering gait red, glassy, watery eyes and excitability or unpredictable behavior. 

Inhalation) Anthrax Spores in aerosols No Moderate 1-6 days 3-5 days High Spores are highly stable Yes Little effect Experi- mental... 

A number of effects have been associated with chronic exposure to jet fuel in factory workers (Knave et al. 1978). These effects included increases in the occurrence of neurasthenia (anxiety and/or mental depression, fatigue, depressed mood, lack of initiative, dizziness, palpitations, thoracic oppression, sleep disturbances) and eye irritation. Psychological tests found that attention and sensorimotor speed were impaired in exposed workers, but there were no effects on memory functions or manual dexterity. EEG tests suggested that there may have been instability in the thalamocortical system in the exposed group. However, the type of jet fuels were not noted nor was there a control for exposure to other compounds. Inhalation exposure is likely since jet fuel vapor was detected by the study authors however, dermal and oral (i.e., eating with contaminated hands) exposures may also be possible. 

Zaleplon (Sonata) [C IV] [Sedotive/Hypnotic] Uses Insomnia Action A nonbenzodiazepine sedative/hypnotic, a pyrazolopyrimidine Dose 5-20 mg hs PRN -1- w/ renal/hepatic insuff, elderly Caution [C, /-] w/ mental/ psychological conditions Contra Component allergy Disp Caps SE HA, edema, amnesia, somnolence, photosens Interactions t CNS depression W/ CNS d es-sants, imipramine, thioridazine, EtOH X effects W/ carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampin EMS Concurrent EtOH can t adverse CNS effects OD May cause profound CNS depression symptomatic and supportive Zanamivir (Relenza) [Antiviral/Neuramidase Inhibitor] Uses Influenza A (including HlNl swine flu) B Action X Viral neuraminidase Dose Adults Feds > 7 y.2 inhal (10 mg) bid for 5 d initiate w/in 48 h of Sxs Caution [C, M] Contra Pulm Dz Disp Powder for inhal SE Bron-chospasm, HA, GI upset EMS Does not reduce risk of transmitting virus monitor for bronchospasm or other severe resp events OD May cause resp problems s5rmptomatic and supportive... 

Little Is known about possible long-term effects of CS Inhalation. This is due In part to the fact that short-term experiments with experimental animals, carried out for from several days to a month and using much higher (In some cases, nearly lethal) concentrations of CS, showed that ocular, respiratory, and cutaneous alte-. rations were mild and readily reversible, whereas necropsy findings failed to reveal any evidence of systemic alterations. Retrospective studies performed by the Hlmsworth committee at the request of the British Parliament after the extensive use of CS in Northern Ireland showed that no adverse effects of CS use were observed, with respect to eye burns, residual respiratory tract injury, Increased death rate in the elderly, exacerbations of mental Illness, increased Incidence of strokes or heart attacks, or incidence of tuberculosis. At exposure concentrations reported by the Hlmsworth committee (about 90 mg-min/m ), no persistent or notably adverse health effects were observed. 

Despite the extent of inhalant abuse and its potential for destroying mental and physical functions, little is known about effective behavior modification or drug-abuse prevention approaches to treating inhalant abusers. Inhalant abusers are often excluded from more general studies on drug abuse. 

Acute exposure to high doses of lindane is known to cause CNS stimulation (usually developing within 1 hour), mental/motor impairment, excitation, clonic (intermittent) and tonic (continuous) convulsions, increased respiratory rate and/or failure, pulmonary edema, and dermatitis. Toxic symptoms in humans are more behavioral in nature (e.g., loss of balance, teeth grinding, and hyperirritability. Most acute effects in humans have been the result of accidental or intentional ingestion, although inhalation toxicity occurred (especially among children) when lindane was used in vaporizers. 

In the second study there were 174 patients in two similar experimental groups in whom injectable rather than inhaled heroin was used (5). A response to treatment was defined as at least a 40% improvement in physical, mental, or social domains of quality of life, if not accompanied by a substantial (over 20%) increase in the use of another illicit drug, such as cocaine or amphetamines. After 12 months those who took methadone and heroin (smoked or injected) had significantly better outcomes. The incidences of adverse effects (constipation and drowsiness) were similar in all the groups. However, owing to the limitations of the study and the complex nature of drug dependence, the therapeutic outcomes could not be justifiably and solely attributed to the specific drug(s). 

Toxicity and health effects Benzidine is known to be acutely toxic to humans by ingestion. The symptoms of acute poisoning by ingestion include but are not restricted to cyanosis, headache, mental confusion, nausea, and vertigo. Dermal exposure may cause skin rashes and irritation. There is no information available on the acute effects of benzidine in humans via inhalation exposure. Animals exposed for a prolonged period of time developed effects on the blood, liver, kidney, and CNS. Chronic exposure caused bladder injury among workers. ... 

SAFETY PROFILE Moderately toxic to humans by an unspecified route. Moderately toxic experimentally by intravenous and intraperitoneal routes. Mildly toxic by skin contact. Human systemic effects by ingestion or inhalation flushing, pulse rate decrease, blood pressure lowering, anesthesia, narcosis, headache, di22iness, mental depression, hallucinations, distorted... 

SAFETY PROFILE Suspected carcinogen with experimental carcinogenic data. A human poison by inhalation. Human systemic effects by inhalation anorexia, nausea or vomiting. Corrosive to skin can produce severe burns. Human mutation data reported. A powerful fumigant gas that is one of the most toxic of the common organic halides. It is hemotoxic and narcotic with delayed action. The effects are cumulative and damaging to nervous system, kidneys, and lung. Central nervous system effects include blurred vision, mental confusion, numbness, tremors, and speech defects. 

The first half of the 20th century brought further attempts to use drugs and other therapies to treat mental illness. For example, tests were conducted on the effectiveness of giving amphetamines to depressed and narcoleptic patients, and carbon dioxide inhalation procedures were used in the treatment of illnesses referred to as psychoses and neuroses. Also used in the treatment of psychoses were antihistamines, insulin shock, and psychosurgery. Electroshock therapy was used to treat severe depression (a procedure still used today). Finally, in 1949 an Australian physician named John Cade discovered that the alkali metal lithuim successfully moderated manic conditions, although concerns about toxic reactions to it prevented its approval for use in the United States until 1970. Lithium remains a mainstay in the treatment of bipolar illnesses today. 

Primary effects of methyl bromide are on the nervous system, lungs, nasal mucosa, kidneys, eyes, and skin. Neurologic symptoms include blurred vision, mental confusion, paresthesias, tremors, and speech defects. Severe exposure may result in narcosis, seizures, coma followed by respiratory paralysis, and circulatory failure. Contact with the skin and eyes can lead to irritation and burns. After an acute single, small with prompt recovery, no delayed or long-term effects are likely to occur. In larger exposures inhalation can cause injury to the nervous system, lungs, and throat. High doses can also injure the kidneys and liver. 

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