Inhalants & anabolic steroids

what is known about the pattern of use of inhalants?

use often beings in childhood

what are the effects of inhalants?

euphoria, disinhibition, drowsiness, lightheadedness

what NTs do inhalants affect?

DA, GABA, glutamate

the immediate effect of inhalants is similar to what other drug / class of drug?

alcohol

what are the health risks associated with inhalants?

• sudden sniffling death syndrome (cardiac arrhythmia)

• damage to heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, and bone

• neurological damage (atrophy, ventricle enlargement, demyelination)

what NT is similar to GHB?

GABA

why is GHB used?

it was developed as a depressant

still used as an anesthetic and to lower body fat/increase muscle

what are the effects of GHB that make it dangerous?

• date rape drug

• high doses: ataxia, lethargy, slurring, dizziness, nausea

• OD: coma, seizures, decreased respiration

what are the short-term effects of anabolic steroid use?

increased muscle mass and strength

what are the long-term effects of anabolic steroid use?

problems with cardiovascular system, liver, kidneys, acne, behavior

effects of anabolic steroids in men vs women

men:

• testicular shrinkage

• decreased sperm count

• prostate enlargement

• gynecomastia (boobs)

women

• menstrual abnormalities

• deepening of voice

• hair growth

• enlargement of clitoris

• smaller boobs

what evidence supports the hypothesis that inhalants are reinforcing?

• increased DA in VTA

• conditioned place preference

• high uptake of toulene in striatum, cerebellum, and thalamus

• withdrawal syndrome

what evidence supports the hypothesis that steroids are reinforcing?

withdrawal symptoms