A solvent meant to increase octane ratings in gasoline and used to make benzene, toluene acts as a central nervous system depressant and neurotoxin when concentrated fumes are inhaled. Toluene is also found in paint, adhesives (airplane glue), cleaning agents and fragrances.
In the brain, toluene interacts with dopamine, glycine and GABA to produce feelings of sedation, disorientation and euphoria.
Physical Effects of Toluene Abuse
Toluene disrupts normal functioning of the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal system by destabilizing the heart’s electrical activity, irritating the stomach and intestinal lining and potentially causing liver failure. In addition, toluene destroys hemoglobin in the bloodstream, which is necessary for transporting oxygen and iron throughout the body. Long-term paint, gasoline and glue huffers will develop serious health problems such as anemia, breakdown of muscle due to a potassium deficiency, jaundice, hearing loss and tachycardia (rapid heartbeat).
Chronic toluene abuse can also cause a serious neurological disorder called toluene leukoencephalopathy, a type of dementia that is irreversible. In addition, inhalant addicts have suffocated to death by filling their lungs with toxic gases that displace oxygen and prevent air sacs from functioning properly. MRI brain scans of inhalant addicts have shown that sniffing glue containing toluene causes irreversible brain atrophy after inhaling it regularly for six months.