Inhalants

Inhalants

  • Household and workplace products contain chemicals with psychoactive properties when inhaled
  • Rapidly absorbed and reach CNS quickly
  • Most are depressants
  • Long-term use can result in brain damage

Cannabis

  • THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) a key ingredient in cannabis causes psychoactive effects
    • Low to moderate doses produce alcohol-like effects
    • Long-term use has cardiopulmonary and mental health effects
  • Legalization for medical and recreational use is controversial
    • Medical uses
      • Nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy
      • Appetite stimulant in AIDS patients
    • Illegal synthetic THC derivatives
      • Unpredictable effects
      • More toxic
  • Toxicity
    • Causes:
      • Acute psychotic episodes
      • Tachycardia, hypertension, dysrhythmias, MI (myocardial infarction)
      • Panic and flashbacks
    • Care includes quiet environment and benzodiazepines
  • Withdrawal
    • Heavy cannabis use
    • Irritability, anxiety, anorexia, chills, disturbed sleep, fever, tremors
    • Peaks about 48 hours after cessation
    • Lasts 3-4 days
    • No drug therapy is effective

Caffeine

  • Most widely used psychoactive substance in the world
  • Weak stimulant
    • Increases wakefulness
    • Facilitate motor activity
    • Treat headaches
  • Toxicity
    • Cause cardiac dysrhythmias
    • Hypertension
    • Disturbed sleep
    • Seizures, and anxiety.
  • Dependence
    • Muscle pain or stiffness,
    • Drowsiness, irritability, and headaches after general anesthesia

Share:

More Posts

Managing High Blood Pressure

For Everyone KEY POINTS Measuring your blood pressure is an important step toward controlling high blood pressure. If you have diabetes, you may also have

Facts About TBI

For Everyone KEY POINTS A TBI affects how the brain works. TBI is a major cause of death and disability. TBIs may be missed in