Download ~ Nitrous Oxide Inhalation Among Adolescents: Prevalence, Correlates, And Co-Occurrence with Volatile Solvent Inhalation (Report) " by Journal of Psychoactive Drugs ~ Book PDF Kindle ePub Free
eBook details
- Title: Nitrous Oxide Inhalation Among Adolescents: Prevalence, Correlates, And Co-Occurrence with Volatile Solvent Inhalation (Report)
- Author : Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
- Release Date : January 01, 2009
- Genre: Health & Fitness,Books,Health, Mind & Body,
- Pages : * pages
- Size : 284 KB
Description
Since the late eighteenth century, nitrous oxide (NO) has been inhaled to induce altered states of consciousness. Luminaries such as Samuel Taylor Coleridge, William James, and James Watt (inventor of the steam engine) self administered the gas to facilitate metaphysical exploration. Although its abuse liability has been a matter of contention (e.g. Gillman 1995, 1992; Zacny et al. 1995), NO has become a significant drug of abuse among U. S. adolescents. NO users inhale the gas from balloons filled by tanks used in dental or automotive supply, from whipped cream dispensers that release gas stored in "chargers" or steel cartridges used as a propellant in whipped cream, or directly from whipped cream containers that are purchased at grocery stores. NO intoxication is characterized by euphoria, incoordination, dissociation, and hallucinatory experiences (Brouette & Anton 2001). While the current pattern of usage in teens is poorly understood, deleterious biopsychosocial sequelae associated with recurrent NO use have been described in the literature and are discussed below. NO is a simple molecular compound comprised of two nitrogen atoms to every one oxygen atom. An odorless and colorless gas with analgesic and anesthetic properties, NO has been used to allay anxiety and reduce discomfort during brief, painful medical procedures, such as those commonplace to dentistry (Malamed & Clark 2003). NO's therapeutic properties are thought to derive from its activation of mu and kappa opioid receptors in the dopamine circuitry of the nucleus accumbens (Lichtigfeld & Gillman 1996) and modulation of noradrenergic neurons in the brainstem (Sawamura et al. 2000). As an alternative to benzodiazepines, NO also has therapeutic potential as a treatment for mild to moderate alcohol (Gillman, Lichtigfeld & Young 2007), cannabis (Gillman, Harker & Lichtigfeld 2006), and cocaine (Gillman, Lichtigfeld & Harker 2006) withdrawal symptoms. While NO has accepted clinical utility, professionals who have ready access to the substance (e.g. dentists, medical students, and hospital staff) are at elevated risk for NO misuse, abuse, and dependence (Blanton 2006; Rosenberg, Orkin & Springstead 1979; Seidberg & Sullivan 2004).
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