Essay On Inhalants

There are classifications of psychoactive drugs including stimulants, depressants and those referred to as all arounders. Stimulates increase the users functioning of the central nervous system and tend to increase the users sense of wellbeing. On the contrary depressants lower the overall functioning of the nervous system creating a slower response, a sense of sedation, and can lead to coma. The all arounder is known to alter the user’s perception of their reality and can at times cause the user to have hallucinations. Some common all arounders are marijuana and mushrooms. How do inhalants fit in to these categories?
Inhalants can take the forms of aerosols, solvents, gases, and nitrates. Aerosols can be found in hairspray, cooking sprays or in air fresheners. A solvent inhalant can be gasoline, paint thinner or nail polish remover to name just a few. An inhalant gas that is abused commonly is nitrous oxide. These products can be used in various ways either by the user directly spraying them in their nose or mouth, huff the fumes through a soaked rag, or inhaling the substance from a
balloon or a bag.
The effects felt from inhaling such substances is typically felt quickly and the results are noted similar to that produced from using alcohol impacting the central nervous system.
Typically a user will experience a decrease with inhibitions, a sense of elevation and then go through another side of effects which includes a loss of coordination, slurred speech, and experience some type of dizziness.1 The effects of intoxication from inhalants is a short lived which then leads to repeated use. Inhalant use has been noted to mimic being drunk and the after effect is also noted to mimic a hangover as well. Inhalants have also been referred to as asphyxiant.2 An asphyxiant is a substance that displaces the oxygen in the blood and can lead to suffocation. When a person huffs or inhales a substance there is a chance they may suffer from sudden sniffing death syndrome from their first
use.
In conclusion from the information I have read, I am of the opinion that inhalants are more of a depressant than a stimulant. They are best compared to alcohol in regard to their reaction on the central nervous system. In addition as I have noted the overall effects are similar to that of alcohol as well. I did not find information that I believe would support their classification as an all arounder other than if a person was a chronic, long time user who was suffering from possible hallucinations. 1Darryl S. Inaba,Pharm.D. and William E. Cohen. Uppers, Downers, All Arounders. Oregon: CNS Productions 2014
2http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/asphyxiant.html