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Effects

Short-terms effects

For few seconds users feel intoxicated and experience effects, similar to those of alcohol use:

•    Slurred speech;
•    Lack of coordination;
•    Euphoria (feeling of intensive happiness);
•    Dizziness.

Some users report:

•    Mild headache;
•    Hallucinations (they can see things that are actually not there);
•    Delusions (they believe in something, which is not true and cannot be deterred).

Inhalation of almost all dissolvents and gases may lead to state of unconscious.

Desired effects last a few minutes only and users often repeat inhalation without thinking how risky is that. Second use in short term may cause loss of conscious and subsequently may even cause death. In addition, the use decreases the control, causes sleepiness and headache.

Long-term effects

Inhalants often contain more than one chemical. Some chemicals quickly disappear from the body, but others stay longer and get absorbed by fatty tissues in the brain and central nervous system. In long term, the use of inhalants may cause serious problems:

•    Damage to nerve fibers. Long-term use of inhalants may damage protective layer around the nerves in the central nervous system and elsewhere in the body. When that happens, their ability to send messages in an appropriate way is disturbed. That can cause muscle spasms and tremors or even constant problems with basic activities such as walking, leaning and talking. These effects are similar to the symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

•    Damage to the brain cells. Inhalants can damage brain cells as they block access of oxygen to them – this state is known as brain hypoxia. The effects of this condition depend on that which part of the brain is affected. For example, the hippocampus is responsible for the memory, so the frequent use of inhalants may damage the ability for learning of new things or may cause difficulties in participation in simple conversations. The involvement of the cerebral cortex may cause motor delays and clumsiness.

The regular use of inhalants may cause serious and irreversible consequences and for other vital organs and systems:

•    Heart damage;
•    Liver failure;
•    Muscle weakness;
•    Aplastic anemia – body produces less blood cells.