Inhalation is a concept whose etymological root is found in the Latin word inhalatio . The term refers to the act of inhaling : inhaling something , whether voluntarily or involuntarily.
As part of the breathing process, inhalation is an essential action for life. In the case of humans and many animals, inhalation allows outside air to enter the lungs . This is the first step of breathing, which also involves expelling the already modified air.
Thanks to inhalation, an individual acquires the oxygen he needs to live. Then, through exhalation, you expel carbon dioxide. Respiration, therefore, involves a gas exchange with the external environment.
It is important to mention that breathing is an automatic process: people do not think to carry it out, but do it involuntarily. However, it is possible to perform conscious inhalation for certain purposes: to relax, as part of a meditation , etc.
Inhalation is also realized in other ways beyond breathing. It may be a voluntary action to inhale a narcotic or hallucinogenic substance , to cite one case. There are those who inhale certain glues because, due to their components, they generate intoxication, excitement or drowsiness .
A malfunctioning stove , on the other hand, can cause poisoning from carbon monoxide inhalation . This odorless gas is produced by combustion and, if it does not escape to the outside through proper ventilation of the appliance, it accumulates in the environment: when someone inhales it, they become poisoned and can even die.
Involuntary inhalation occurs in various areas, and the types of substances are divided into four fundamental groups: aerosols, gases, nitrites and volatile solvents. Except for nitrites, the other three can modify the individual's mood, leading him to a state of stupefaction. Nitrites, for their part, can activate and enhance sexual desire .
Let's see below more characteristics of each group of chemical substances that are usually involved in inhalation cases:
* Aerosols are found in almost every home, whether in the form of deodorant, paint or lacquer, as well as vegetable oil for cooking, as long as these products are sold in sprays. Because they are so common, the risk of inhalation is especially high;
* Gases are a large group, since they include commercial or domestic products such as propane tanks, refrigerants and butane lighters, but also those that have medicinal purposes, such as the well-known laughing gas. (nitrous oxide) and ether ;
* nitrites , both cyclohexyl, butyl and amyl, are also called poppers or love drugs , which have aphrodisiac effects. We can find them in certain deodorant capsules and air freshener products for domestic and commercial use;
* Volatile solvents are liquids that change to a gaseous state when subjected to room temperature. This group includes liquid markers, gasoline, glues, paint removers and paint thinners.
People who carry out inhalation voluntarily seek precisely some of the aforementioned effects, which are generally associated with euphoria and enhanced pleasure . However, these last very little, and for this reason substance abuse is common. Needless to say, the degree of damage to the body is directly proportional to the amount of toxic substance that enters it. Furthermore, not all the effects are positive, since in addition to the desired hallucinations come vomiting, dizziness and lack of coordination.