Silk Road forums

Discussion => Drug safety => Topic started by: Caparino on June 04, 2012, 07:27 am

Title: Brain Damage from drugs?
Post by: Caparino on June 04, 2012, 07:27 am
How is it caused? Is it higher amounts that cause the brain damage or do smaller doses cause it as well? Which class of drugs causes the most? Can brain cells regenerate?

To anyone that knows the answer to these questions, please help me out. I know I'm not the only individual wondering the answers to these questions... maybe it'll help me curb my binge :/
Title: Re: Brain Damage from drugs?
Post by: Zypur on June 04, 2012, 07:32 am
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurotoxicity
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiotoxicity
Basically, a lot of drugs are either cardiotoxic or neurotoxic, mostly just in higher doses, but also a lot of drugs arent either, mostly opiates like heroin and such cause they're not toxic, stimulants and things are more cardiotoxic, dissociatives, meth, mda, inhalants, nicotine and alcohol are all neurotoxic.
Title: Re: Brain Damage from drugs?
Post by: kmfkewm on June 04, 2012, 07:40 am
It is highly controversial if dissociatives or MDMA are neurotoxic , you can easily find an abundance of research papers claiming either way
Title: Re: Brain Damage from drugs?
Post by: microRNA on June 04, 2012, 08:42 am
it is pretty clear there are lasting serotonergic changes after high dose mdma, which seemed to be caused by highly reactive metabolites (think "free radicals") which can cause cellular damage, in addition to changes in receptor and transporter densities which some consider to be evidence of neurodegeneration

methamphetamine is probably one of the most stressful, even more so than mdma.  with similar effects from amphetamine but less so imo due to the potency, duration and most common usage patterns

mptp is an incredibly neurotoxic contaminant that was accidentally produced in a batch of "designer heroin" which caused severe dopaminergic neuron loss in the substantia nigra, a region responsible for controlling movement... causing the death of some of the unfortunate users, and those lucky enough to survive had instantaneous parkinsons disease like symptoms which progressed to death

in other cases like marijuana, some research has shown it prevent degeneration associated with alzheimers progression,  although one of the greatest risk factors for alz is actually smoking... so as mentioned, research can point either way, and the same chemical could even protect on part of the brain while simultaneously harming another neural cell type through a completely different mechanism theoretically

neuron regeneration is still debated and unclear, although certain subtypes in the olfactory bulb and hippocampal regions demonstrate characteristics of proliferating cells, actual regrowth of damaged areas, especially the cortex does not occur, like why spinal cord injuries are often permanently disabling. however, what has been shown more commonly is that if one area is damaged the brain is incredibly flexible and will start to use healthy areas to compensate, currently investigations are determining whether say a nearby gabanergic neuron will recognize dopaminergic neurons were damaged, undergo transcriptional regulation alterations, where they start producing tyrosine hydroxylase, the enzyme which produces dopamine... and inhibiting production of gaba, thereby at least partially trying to convert and fix the problem
Title: Re: Brain Damage from drugs?
Post by: Bob Arctor on June 04, 2012, 08:49 am
http://youtu.be/lMRk4HDgg8M
but seriously, don't binge, that ain't healthy..
Title: Re: Brain Damage from drugs?
Post by: Caparino on June 04, 2012, 04:28 pm
but seriously, don't binge, that ain't healthy..

I know -__- I just flushed 4 strips of tony's acid + bags of MDMA/K/Coke. But having access to SR is kind of like being a kid at an all you can eat candy-buffet. I can't control myself...  On top of that, my serotonin and glutamate generation are fucked at the moment because of a 2-month acid everyday/every other day binge I accompanied with regular drug usage. Anything besides regular exercise/healthy eating/meditation that I can undergo to speed up homeostasis?
Title: Re: Brain Damage from drugs?
Post by: freddieisdead on June 04, 2012, 05:01 pm
It's important to note not only what drugs can be damaging, but also at what dosages neurotoxic effects begin to manifest. It usually depends on your body weight.
Title: Re: Brain Damage from drugs?
Post by: sniper123 on June 04, 2012, 05:03 pm
but seriously, don't binge, that ain't healthy..

I know -__- I just flushed 4 strips of tony's acid + bags of MDMA/K/Coke. But having access to SR is kind of like being a kid at an all you can eat candy-buffet. I can't control myself...  On top of that, my serotonin and glutamate generation are fucked at the moment because of a 2-month acid everyday/every other day binge I accompanied with regular drug usage. Anything besides regular exercise/healthy eating/meditation that I can undergo to speed up homeostasis?
Why flush when you could of shared? :( You need to learn proper post load techniques. Such as taking something to put back the dopamine and serotonin. L-tryosine for dopamine and 5HTP for serotonine. Both can be found at your local vitamin shop. Also taking a multi vitamin and taking vitamin c while rolling helps. Also diet and exercise are a big factor. I don't recommend exercise while on stimulants though.

Also, there is a guy selling a product called mindfood or brain food. I would link you but sr won't load for me at the moment. i keep getting the problem loading page. When sr starts working again, i'll post the link. You might wanna try taking that supplement.

Think of it like this. Drugs will empty your tank. Supplements and diet are gas. You have to keep putting in gas if you don't wanna break down. Believe  me break downs are not fun.
Title: Re: Brain Damage from drugs?
Post by: Kappacino on June 04, 2012, 06:02 pm
+1 sniper

Mind food by sr vendor "Tryptamine" is very good both for comedowns and to reduce neurotoxicity. I wouldn't take MDMA without it.
Title: Re: Brain Damage from drugs?
Post by: sdesu on June 04, 2012, 08:50 pm
it is pretty clear there are lasting serotonergic changes after high dose mdma, which seemed to be caused by highly reactive metabolites (think "free radicals") which can cause cellular damage, in addition to changes in receptor and transporter densities which some consider to be evidence of neurodegeneration

methamphetamine is probably one of the most stressful, even more so than mdma.  with similar effects from amphetamine but less so imo due to the potency, duration and most common usage patterns

mptp is an incredibly neurotoxic contaminant that was accidentally produced in a batch of "designer heroin" which caused severe dopaminergic neuron loss in the substantia nigra, a region responsible for controlling movement... causing the death of some of the unfortunate users, and those lucky enough to survive had instantaneous parkinsons disease like symptoms which progressed to death

in other cases like marijuana, some research has shown it prevent degeneration associated with alzheimers progression,  although one of the greatest risk factors for alz is actually smoking... so as mentioned, research can point either way, and the same chemical could even protect on part of the brain while simultaneously harming another neural cell type through a completely different mechanism theoretically

neuron regeneration is still debated and unclear, although certain subtypes in the olfactory bulb and hippocampal regions demonstrate characteristics of proliferating cells, actual regrowth of damaged areas, especially the cortex does not occur, like why spinal cord injuries are often permanently disabling. however, what has been shown more commonly is that if one area is damaged the brain is incredibly flexible and will start to use healthy areas to compensate, currently investigations are determining whether say a nearby gabanergic neuron will recognize dopaminergic neurons were damaged, undergo transcriptional regulation alterations, where they start producing tyrosine hydroxylase, the enzyme which produces dopamine... and inhibiting production of gaba, thereby at least partially trying to convert and fix the problem

Couldn't have said it better myself. +1 for you, mate.

sdesu
Title: Re: Brain Damage from drugs?
Post by: dandan321 on June 04, 2012, 09:00 pm
+1 sniper

Mind food by sr vendor "Tryptamine" is very good both for comedowns and to reduce neurotoxicity. I wouldn't take MDMA without it.
Are the effects really that noticeable? I've been looking into this a lot (5-htp mostly) but I've never really had it too bad, I mean I feel bad on the comedown but I kind of appreciate it and like having it as a reminder. But do supplements like these really reduce the harm to your body significantly?

I definitely endorse 5-htp even without rolling, it's pretty noticeable depending on the dosage you take.  But, the effects are priceless since it's a natural precursor to serotonin it creates a change in your outlook and general mindset any day you take it. It's like doing an hour yoga session or meditation, for the rest of the day you just feel relaxed and nothing bothers you that normally would.

Title: Re: Brain Damage from drugs?
Post by: oscarzululondon on June 04, 2012, 09:01 pm
I'd just like to point out Alcohol is one of the most neuro toxic drugs hence pregnant women are advised against drinking. So if you start there and compare it's effects to other 'neurotoxic' drugs such as MDMA you been to see things in a true light.
Title: Re: Brain Damage from drugs?
Post by: sdesu on June 04, 2012, 10:45 pm
I'd just like to point out Alcohol is one of the most neuro toxic drugs hence pregnant women are advised against drinking. So if you start there and compare it's effects to other 'neurotoxic' drugs such as MDMA you been to see things in a true light.

I agree with the point you're trying to make, but there's a greater number of factors that come in to play when talking about alcohol and fetal CNS development as opposed to a fully grown adult.

sdesu
Title: Re: Brain Damage from drugs?
Post by: Ben on June 05, 2012, 01:34 am
in other cases like marijuana, some research has shown it prevent degeneration associated with alzheimers progression,  although one of the greatest risk factors for alz is actually smoking... so as mentioned, research can point either way, and the same chemical could even protect on part of the brain while simultaneously harming another neural cell type through a completely different mechanism theoretically

I graduated on research that involved the neuroprotective properties of cannabinoids, but for privacy reasons i don't think citing publications would be a good idea here.

The problem with this research is practical application: If you know you'll suffer a stroke in the next couple of hours, smoking a joint would be a good idea. Unfortunately most people don't feel a stroke coming, and taking cannabinoids as a prophylactic is problematic if you don't want to be stoned all the time.

The neuroprotective effects were demonstrated for both THC and synthetic cannabinoids - suggestion that the whole mechanism of action chain is involved in the protective mechanism, regardless of taking THC or some other CB receptor agonist.
Title: Re: Brain Damage from drugs?
Post by: xblackbladex on June 05, 2012, 01:42 am
I feel like marijuana fried me out pretty bad.
Title: Re: Brain Damage from drugs?
Post by: 46&2 on June 05, 2012, 01:44 am
and the brain slowly dies as you reach the golden years. so, enjoy some brain damage before you start wearing diapers ;D
Title: Re: Brain Damage from drugs?
Post by: xblackbladex on June 05, 2012, 02:35 am
That's why I don't plan on quitting cigarettes. They kill you at the perfect time, right before the diaper days!
Title: Re: Brain Damage from drugs?
Post by: Joosy on June 05, 2012, 02:51 am
That's why I don't plan on quitting cigarettes. They kill you at the perfect time, right before the diaper days!

Shame that it take a good 10 torturous years of chemical raping therapy to finally provide you the ticket to other side.
Title: Re: Brain Damage from drugs?
Post by: Bob Arctor on June 05, 2012, 07:24 am
Cheers dude, definitely keen to give it a try. Any chance of bad reactions with normal vitamins and daily ganja smoking? I'll definitely make sure anyway, just always awkward asking my doctor about drug interactions.

5-htp seems to mess up my rolls. not sure about interactions with other drugs or vitamins. oh yes, I remember reading that taking vitamin b6 and 5-htp is bad for the heart, but you need vitamin b6 for seratonin production. Look into that if you plan on taking 5-htp. I personally was taking 100mg. 5-htp in the morning and before sleep for a few weeks. Effects weren't very noticeable for me.
Title: Re: Brain Damage from drugs?
Post by: Caparino on June 05, 2012, 02:19 pm
Cheers dude, definitely keen to give it a try. Any chance of bad reactions with normal vitamins and daily ganja smoking? I'll definitely make sure anyway, just always awkward asking my doctor about drug interactions.

5-htp seems to mess up my rolls. not sure about interactions with other drugs or vitamins. oh yes, I remember reading that taking vitamin b6 and 5-htp is bad for the heart, but you need vitamin b6 for seratonin production. Look into that if you plan on taking 5-htp. I personally was taking 100mg. 5-htp in the morning and before sleep for a few weeks. Effects weren't very noticeable for me.

I think you're supposed to take the 5-htp before(maybe even after) and not in conjunction with the rolls. Shot in the dark, not backed by any sources, but I suppose your CNS system would divide its efforts to both generate serotonin and deplete; it instead of only doing either. This may lead to weaker rolling  :-\
Title: Re: Brain Damage from drugs?
Post by: sniper123 on June 06, 2012, 02:50 pm
Cheers dude, definitely keen to give it a try. Any chance of bad reactions with normal vitamins and daily ganja smoking? I'll definitely make sure anyway, just always awkward asking my doctor about drug interactions.

5-htp seems to mess up my rolls. not sure about interactions with other drugs or vitamins. oh yes, I remember reading that taking vitamin b6 and 5-htp is bad for the heart, but you need vitamin b6 for seratonin production. Look into that if you plan on taking 5-htp. I personally was taking 100mg. 5-htp in the morning and before sleep for a few weeks. Effects weren't very noticeable for me.

I think you're supposed to take the 5-htp before(maybe even after) and not in conjunction with the rolls. Shot in the dark, not backed by any sources, but I suppose your CNS system would divide its efforts to both generate serotonin and deplete; it instead of only doing either. This may lead to weaker rolling  :-\
They wouldn't make your roll weaker. But, it's best to take the 5htp after rolling. Taking the 5htp before or during the roll puts you at risk for serotonin syndrome. serotonin syndrome is a waste of MDMA in my opinion.
Title: Re: Brain Damage from drugs?
Post by: twinsen on June 07, 2012, 02:25 am
My answer might be the opposite of what you need to help curb your drug binging, but I'll respond with an honest story of my own experiences.  I started smoking weed heavily in my late teens.  I smoked about 2 grams a day, but my usage was far more efficient than most smokers' (meaning my usage might have been more accurately compared to a normal, non-efficient smoker smoking 4 or 5 grams a day):  I would hold each hit in for at least a minute; by the time I let my breath out, no smoke could be seen.  I was stoned all day, every day, for four years or so, with a handful of one or two day breaks each year.  Result:  my short term memory was fucked.  For example, when answering the phone at work and being given a name and phone number to relay to my boss, the only way I could remember it was by repeating the phone number in my head over and over during the 15 second walk it to me to cross the office and provide said information -- otherwise, I'd forget the number and just tell my boss "so-and-so called" (assuming I didn't forget their name, as well).  I started writing everything down after that happened a couple dozen times, and luckily didn't get fired.  Being high all the time also made me extremely self-conscious and unable to talk to strangers of almost any kind.  I developed this weird habit of closing my eyes while talking to anyone I wasn't comfortable with (which was almost everyone, at that point).  I quit smoking at 22 for half a year, and my brain was mostly back to normal after that.  Then I started using cocaine.  After building up my tolerance quite a bit (took me three months), I was blowing 1/4 oz. of high quality cocaine every day (befriend a respected Mexican gang member in California, and you've got a good chance of getting amazingly pure and inexpensive coke whenever you want).  That lasted for another month before my family found out about my abuse and coerced me into rehab...  Cocaine also made me extremely self-conscious; I would just lock myself in my room, take line after line and watch science fiction TV series.  The only time I would talk to anyone was when I was shit-faced drunk (at which point I would also talk to everyone in sight).  After rehab, I moved to a different city.  My brain at this point was still pretty messed up, but at least I could talk to other people without giving them an unexpected, wild-eyed eyebrow raise, or some creepy, overly-focused stare.  I was 23 at the time.  Then I started using ecstasy.  After building up my tolerance to that, I was taking upwards of 20 strong pills a weekend.  Three months of that kind of usage lost me my computer-tech job with Sony, got me kicked out of my apartment, and had me living out of parks around the city.  As soon as I was homeless, I quit everything -- I was 24 at the time.  The first three months were shitty.  I couldn't speak a complete sentence to anyone.  I would stutter no matter what I tried to say, and I was suicidally depressed on top of it all.  My mother let me move back in with her after three months of homelessness, with the stipulation that I go to the local community college full time and work full time.  After my first semester in college, during which I studied intensely the entire time, the fog in my brain started to lift.  After a year and a half, my brain was in perfect condition.  I ended up getting accepted and transferring into one of the best computer engineering programs in the world after my fourth semester.  During all that time in college, however, I never touched a drug, albeit caffeine.  I'm still in the engineering program, though I took this semester off because of, guess what, stimulant abuse!  Drugs are fun, but they can fuck up your brain.  My experience has shown that at least that fuckedupedness is not long lasting, so long as you exercise your brain to enable it to heal more quickly.  Otherwise, I suspect, you'll stay fried much longer.  Good luck.

P.S.  5-HTP supplementation does not seem like a healthy thing to do.  Think about it.  Take ecstasy, you feel shitty the next day.  Take ecstasy, but then take 5-HTP the next day, you feel fine.  This indicates you're elevating the serotonin levels in your brain to feel "normal" the day after taking ecstasy.  This might lead some to assume they're helping their brains by keeping serotonin levels stable, but that's not the way nature works.  Action, reaction.  If you party hard, expect to feel really good, then really shitty.  Keeping neurotransmitter levels artificially high to feel "normal" after taking a neurotransmitter-depleting drug is only going to ensure your body takes longer to heal itself.  5-HTP is not neuroprotective by any properly-controlled studies that I've read.  I will admit that 5-HTP does help you feel less shitty the days after a good roll; I just don't think it's good for you in the long run.  All in all, however, taking 5-HTP after a roll is not going to significantly decrease healing time (i.e., increase brain damage).  It's too mild to make much of a difference either way.  Just don't take it regularly, otherwise you might really do some damage.
Title: Re: Brain Damage from drugs?
Post by: Caparino on June 07, 2012, 04:45 am
Thanks for the seasoned advice twinsen  :) I wish you were on your real account so this positive karma meant something.
Title: Re: Brain Damage from drugs?
Post by: Reece on June 07, 2012, 04:54 am
Drugs are fun, but they fuck up your brain. 

I feel I must correct you.
Drugs in themselves won't do this.

Your lack of self-control is at fault here. You said it yourself that you were taking 20 strong E's in a weekend, that's asking for damage. Let me extend and revise what you said. "Drugs are fun, but they fuck up your brain if you are careless". You should always respect what you are taking and research what you're doing to yourself. Have a goal and reason for taking a substance and know your own personal limits.
Title: Re: Brain Damage from drugs?
Post by: genghar on June 07, 2012, 05:01 am
I would hold each hit in for at least a minute; by the time I let my breath out, no smoke could be seen.

That was genuinely an informative and interesting story!  Thanks for sharing.

One thing, though - I've read in many places that you absorb 95% of all the THC content you'll ever absorb in the first two seconds of the smoke being in your lungs.  Did you find this to be untrue?
Title: Re: Brain Damage from drugs?
Post by: twinsen on June 07, 2012, 06:09 am
I can assure everyone that 2-3 seconds is not long enough for 90% of the THC in a rip to absorb into your lungs.  Use common sense.  All that smoke you see leaving your lungs is not being absorbed.  As far as I know, the likelihood of THC sticking to the insides of your lungs more readily than other types of particles in that smoke has not been researched to any practical extent.  My older brother once told me, while I was still very young, that 7 seconds was all you needed to absorb all the THC into your lungs.  That's nonsense, since the physiology of any human's body is going to be different than any other person's physiology.  Also, just give my technique a test.  One day, take ONE big hit, hold it in for 2-3 seconds, then see how high you get.  The next day, take ONE big hit, hold it in for 60 seconds, then see how high you get.  I think that experiment will smash any speculation as to my claims.  Of course, before each hit, I prepped my body by hyperventilating before actually taking the hit.  This ritual hyperoxygenates your body temporarily, allowing you to hold your breath (hit) longer because your body has larger stores of oxygen (along with whatever other air-native particles are influential to your body's functioning).  Also, in response to Reece, I never disputed that my lack of self-control wasn't to blame for my problems/brain-damage.  I simply stated that I fucked up my brain and that I believe that I was able to help heal it (directly in line with the OP's question). Also, my drug abuse (binging) seems to relate directly to the OP's concerns ("maybe it'll help me curb my binge :/").  Your problem was with one line that I wrote:  "Drugs are fun, but they fuck up your brain."  This line, in context with the rest of what I wrote, seems perfectly reasonable to me.  Of course, a drug-virgin taking 100mg of MDMA once is not going to perceive noticeable damage for long after.  However, I thought my story clearly implicated a pattern of heavy drug use.  Don't cherry pick information and place it out of context.  To be more precise, I'll change that post:  "Drugs are fun but they CAN fuck up your brain."
Title: Re: Brain Damage from drugs?
Post by: Caparino on June 07, 2012, 06:14 am
I can assure everyone that 2-3 seconds is not long enough for 90% of the THC in a rip to absorb into your lungs.  Use common sense.  All that smoke you see leaving your lungs is not being absorbed.  As far as I know, the likelihood of THC sticking to the insides of your lungs more readily than other types of particles in that smoke has not been researched to any practical extent.  My older brother once told me, while I was still very young, that 7 seconds was all you needed to absorb all the THC into your lungs.  That's nonsense, since the physiology of any human's body is going to be different than any other person's physiology.  Also, just give my technique a test.  One day, take ONE big hit, hold it in for 2-3 seconds, then see how high you get.  The next day, take ONE big hit, hold it in for 60 seconds, then see how high you get.  I think that experiment will smash any speculation as to my claims.  Of course, before each hit, I prepped my body by hyperventilating before actually taking the hit.  This ritual hyperoxygenates your body temporarily, allowing you to hold your breath longer because your body has larger stores of oxygen (along with whatever other air-native particles are influential in your body's functioning).  Also, in response to Reece, I never disputed that my lack of self-control wasn't to blame for my problems/brain-damage.  I simply stated that I fucked up my brain and that I believe that I was able to help heal it (directly in line with the OP's question). Also, my drug abuse (binging) seems to relate directly to the OP's concerns ("maybe it'll help me curb my binge :/).  Your problem was with one line that I wrote:  "Drugs are fun, but they fuck up your brain."  This line, in context with the rest of what I wrote, seems prerfectly reasonable to me.  Of course, a drug-virgin taking 100mg of mdma once is not going to perceive noticable damage for long after.  However, I thought my story clearly implicated a pattern of heavy drug use.  Don't cherry pick information and place it out of context.

Actually, let me explain. Picture your lungs as an A/C Filter and picture THC molecules as dust particles. Now, you take the hit in, the smoke circulates within your lungs. The carbon/oxygen part of the hit, you already normally breathe in, so it doesn't matter. The THC, something that isn't as native to your body produces the high. You take your lungs for granted brah, they're much stronger than you think.
Title: Re: Brain Damage from drugs?
Post by: twinsen on June 07, 2012, 06:30 am
I can assure everyone that 2-3 seconds is not long enough for 90% of the THC in a rip to absorb into your lungs.  Use common sense.  All that smoke you see leaving your lungs is not being absorbed.  As far as I know, the likelihood of THC sticking to the insides of your lungs more readily than other types of particles in that smoke has not been researched to any practical extent.  My older brother once told me, while I was still very young, that 7 seconds was all you needed to absorb all the THC into your lungs.  That's nonsense, since the physiology of any human's body is going to be different than any other person's physiology.  Also, just give my technique a test.  One day, take ONE big hit, hold it in for 2-3 seconds, then see how high you get.  The next day, take ONE big hit, hold it in for 60 seconds, then see how high you get.  I think that experiment will smash any speculation as to my claims.  Of course, before each hit, I prepped my body by hyperventilating before actually taking the hit.  This ritual hyperoxygenates your body temporarily, allowing you to hold your breath longer because your body has larger stores of oxygen (along with whatever other air-native particles are influential in your body's functioning).  Also, in response to Reece, I never disputed that my lack of self-control wasn't to blame for my problems/brain-damage.  I simply stated that I fucked up my brain and that I believe that I was able to help heal it (directly in line with the OP's question). Also, my drug abuse (binging) seems to relate directly to the OP's concerns ("maybe it'll help me curb my binge :/).  Your problem was with one line that I wrote:  "Drugs are fun, but they fuck up your brain."  This line, in context with the rest of what I wrote, seems prerfectly reasonable to me.  Of course, a drug-virgin taking 100mg of mdma once is not going to perceive noticable damage for long after.  However, I thought my story clearly implicated a pattern of heavy drug use.  Don't cherry pick information and place it out of context.

Actually, let me explain. Picture your lungs as an A/C Filter and picture THC molecules as dust particles. Now, you take the hit in, the smoke circulates within your lungs. The carbon/oxygen part of the hit, you already normally breathe in, so it doesn't matter. The THC, something that isn't as native to your body produces the high. You take your lungs for granted brah, they're much stronger than you think.

I do believe that my lungs are very strong.  I've smoked so, so much shit, yet my lungs are still functioning very well.  I stated that because I had hyperoxygenated beforehand, I was able to hold my breath (my hit) longer, thus allowing me to absorb more THC/cannibanoids (the particles spend a longer time in my lungs, allowing them to more plentifully adhere to the linings of my lungs, thus providing my bloodstream/brain with greater amounts of psychoactive substances).
Title: Re: Brain Damage from drugs?
Post by: Ben on June 08, 2012, 01:46 am
A couple of seconds can be enough. Just consider cigarettes - you don't need to hold the smoke down for long to feel the effects of nicotine at all.

2 seconds may be too short an estimate, but it will not take more than a minute to get a substance you inhale into the brain.

Inhalation is probably the fastest way to deliver a substance to the brain. Injection is more dramatic, but not faster per se - if you inject something it has to pass through the veins, take a round trip though the lungs and then get into the brain. Not that the difference in timing is that dramatic - inhalation can work to its brain in 10 seconds or so, injection takes under half a minute if your bloodflow is normal.