Huffing Dust-Off - how does it work?
June 24, 2011 9:49 AM Subscribe
Pharmacology-filter: what can you tell me about the mechanism of the high obtained from huffing Dust-Off (difluoroethane)? Asking for work, not personal use, of course.
I'm not a scientist or a doctor, so have gotten a little lost in the articles I've found. Some sources seem to say that the high (and the primary danger) from difluoroethane inhalation is from asphyxiation. That is, that the heavier-than-air gas displaces the oxygen in one's lungs, leading to oxygen deprivation, leading to a sort of narcotic effect "high". Other sources seem to indicate some other mechanism of the high--absorption into the bloodstream, and some action on the brain, and a toxic danger from high blood levels of the substance.
Does anyone have any thoughts or insights? Thanks!
(and it goes without saying that huffing anything is a super bad idea and I'm not contemplating it or encouraging anyone to do so)
I'm not a scientist or a doctor, so have gotten a little lost in the articles I've found. Some sources seem to say that the high (and the primary danger) from difluoroethane inhalation is from asphyxiation. That is, that the heavier-than-air gas displaces the oxygen in one's lungs, leading to oxygen deprivation, leading to a sort of narcotic effect "high". Other sources seem to indicate some other mechanism of the high--absorption into the bloodstream, and some action on the brain, and a toxic danger from high blood levels of the substance.
Does anyone have any thoughts or insights? Thanks!
(and it goes without saying that huffing anything is a super bad idea and I'm not contemplating it or encouraging anyone to do so)
Best answer: I guess I'm explaining the physical effects. Im not sure exactly why that happens. I don't think it's just oxygen deprivation, or else you'd get the same effect holding your breath.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 10:13 AM on June 24, 2011
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 10:13 AM on June 24, 2011
Best answer: The mechanisms of intoxication for inhalants in general seems to be an open question. In general I've read an apparent consensus that direct action of the substances and oxygen displacement are both thought to be involved. These substances are lipid soluble and cross the blood-brain barrier. Some go through metabolic processes after introduction to the bloodstream. The second paragraph of this article goes along pretty well with what I've read elsewhere about mechanisms. It's pretty much universally agreed that this is a bad and dangerous method of intoxication.
posted by nanojath at 10:16 AM on June 24, 2011
posted by nanojath at 10:16 AM on June 24, 2011
Best answer: I suspect it works like a general anesthetic, which means we don't really know.
posted by exogenous at 10:17 AM on June 24, 2011
posted by exogenous at 10:17 AM on June 24, 2011
Not a good answer--sorry. I do believe the cause of death is the propellant ( difluoroethane) which causes cardiac arrhythmias
posted by rmhsinc at 10:22 AM on June 24, 2011
posted by rmhsinc at 10:22 AM on June 24, 2011
Response by poster: Some good answers, thanks. A few clarifications--I have a pretty good understanding the physical effects--both the nature of the "high" and the bad side effects like cardiac arrhythmia and arrest. What I'd really like more info on is what nanjoth identified--the distinction between (1) direct action of the substance and (2) oxygen displacement as a source of the intoxication. It may be that there is no known answer, and that's fine. Nanojath, thanks for that article. It was helpful.
posted by bepe at 10:37 AM on June 24, 2011
posted by bepe at 10:37 AM on June 24, 2011
Yeah, I'd bunch it with the anesthetic gases (and as far as the mechanism for those, the jury is still out). It's not an ether or ester, but neither is chloroform. Chloroform also shares the tendency to cause cardiac arrhythmias.
Oxygen displacement does not cause the same effects. You don't get high from huffing helium or nitrogen, you just get dizzy and pass out.
Please be careful with solvents.
posted by dephlogisticated at 10:47 AM on June 24, 2011
Oxygen displacement does not cause the same effects. You don't get high from huffing helium or nitrogen, you just get dizzy and pass out.
Please be careful with solvents.
posted by dephlogisticated at 10:47 AM on June 24, 2011
As a wise man once said to me: "Organic solvents, man? You're organic!"
posted by flabdablet at 11:50 AM on June 24, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by flabdablet at 11:50 AM on June 24, 2011 [3 favorites]
Best answer: As a wise man once said to me: "Organic solvents, man? You're organic!"
That's a clever line, but ethanol is an organic solvent too, and I'm reluctant to accept any line of thinking that discourages the consumption of that.
posted by dephlogisticated at 1:53 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
That's a clever line, but ethanol is an organic solvent too, and I'm reluctant to accept any line of thinking that discourages the consumption of that.
posted by dephlogisticated at 1:53 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
"Organic solvents, man? You're organic!"
Also remember, like dissolves like.
Difluoroethane does get past the blood-brain-barrier. I'd imagine the method of action may be similar to that of other solvents such as toluene which can directly modulate neurotransmitter receptor function as well as modify neuronal lipid membrane characteristics that can affect neurotransmission kinetics, both things that can change network activity.
posted by porpoise at 8:52 PM on June 24, 2011
Also remember, like dissolves like.
Difluoroethane does get past the blood-brain-barrier. I'd imagine the method of action may be similar to that of other solvents such as toluene which can directly modulate neurotransmitter receptor function as well as modify neuronal lipid membrane characteristics that can affect neurotransmission kinetics, both things that can change network activity.
posted by porpoise at 8:52 PM on June 24, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
He said the effect was similar to nitrous. Time slows down, you're relaxed, things are kinda funny, and you hear the big "WoowWoowWoow" effect.
I thought it was hilarious because unlike helium, your voice DROPS a couple of octaves.
Ah, early twenties.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 10:12 AM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]