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'''Diethyl Ether''' ((C2H5)2O) is a highly flammable solvent with anesthetic and dissociative effects when inhaled. It was synthesized first in the late 1200's and has been used recreationally among Polish peasants since the late 19th century. More
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{{SummarySheet}}
{{Template talk:SubstanceBox/Diethyl ether}}
'''Diethyl ether''' ((C2H5)2O) is a highly flammable solvent with anaesthetic and dissociative effects when inhaled. It has a strong dry, sweet smell, said to be reminiscent of rum. It was synthesized first in the 16th century by Valerius Cordus and has been used recreationally beginning in the early 19th century.  


recently, it gained popularity in the movie "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" which depicted Hunter S. Thompson experiencing the strange fiendishness of Diethyl Ether's intoxicating properties, sometimes called "Ethermania". Liquid Diethyl Ether can be obtained in pure form which greatly reduces negative effects.
More recently, it gained popularity in the movie 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' which depicted Hunter S. Thompson experiencing the strange fiendishness of ether's intoxicating properties, sometimes called "etheromania". The depiction of ether in 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' is heavily fictionalized and bears little resemblance to the actual nature of the drug. However, it's negative depiction has nonetheless resulted in the drug being stigmatised.


'''Most negative effects result from impure diethyl ether being extracted from lighter fluid or other sources. The harmfulness and experiences related to these other unknown chemicals cannot distinguished from brain damage occurring. Avoid these awful effects by only obtaining pure chemical grade 99%+ pure Diethyl Ether'''.
The smell of ether is often compared to gasoline, however, this is a misconception.  Pure ether has a pleasant, sweet, piercing aroma.  The petrolic odour commonly attributed to the substance is a result of the use of impure ether, often in the form of starting fluid. Starting fluid is not pure ether and contains a significant amount of alkanes (such as hexane and heptane, which may constitute more than half of its weight) which are metabolised into neurotoxic compounds.  The only way to separate the ether from the alkanes is by distillation, as the alkanes are also not miscible with water.


Also note that most pure Diethyl Ether contains some amount of BHT as a stabilizer to prevent explosions and fires. BHT's effects when inhaled are unclear as it is a FDA approved food additive but there is conflicting research on the substance.
==Subjective effects==
{{EffectStub}}
{{Preamble/SubjectiveEffects}}
{{effects/base


== Duration ==
|{{effects/physical|
As Diethyl Ether is huffed continuously by its users, the effects are felt immediately
*'''[[Effect::Euphoria]]'''
{| class="wikitable"
*'''[[Effect::Pain relief]]''' - At moderate to heavy doses, the body becomes almost fully insensitive to pain.
|+Inhaled
*'''[[Effect::Increased heart rate]]''' or '''[[Effect::Decreased heart rate]]
|Onset
*'''[[Effect::Increased perspiration]]'''
|immediatley
*'''[[Dizziness]]''' -  
|-
*'''[[Nausea]]'''
|Total
*'''[[Respiratory depression]]'''
|1 hour
*'''Ether smelling''' - Users reported that during 1-3 days after consumption, bodily fluids, and more notably the user's breath, smells of ether. This is a result of ether's immiscibility and low vapour pressure, meaning it is difficult to expel by urine and very apt to evaporate from membranes.
|-
|After-effects
|2-48 hours (dose-dependent)
|}


== Effects ==
}}
{{effects/visual|


=== Positive ===
====Enhancements====
* Euphoria, mood lift, energy boost
*'''[[Effect::Visual acuity effect1]]'''
* Sense of calm and serenity
* Faster and more free flow of thoughts
* Decreased social anxiety with others on the drug


=== Neutral ===
====Distortions====
* Distortion or loss of sensory perceptions (common)
*'''[[Effect::Visual distortion]]''' - At heavy doses of ether, it becomes very difficult to focus one's eyes, leading to one's vision being blurred.
* Dissociation of mind from body
*'''[[Effect::Tunnel vision]]''' - A common effect of a moderate dose of ether is the development of pronounced tunnel vision.
* Sweating
* Analgesia, numbness
* Significant change in perception of time
* Increase in heart rate
* Confusion, disorientation
* Darker more sinister thoughts


=== Negative ===
====[[Effect::Geometry]]====
* Smelling of gasoline for 24 hours
If applicable, a brief paragraph summary describing the visual geometry produced by the substance may be included here.
* Risk of short term dependency
====Hallucinatory states====
* Intense desire to binge once started
If applicable, a brief summary of the substance's visual effects profile may be written here.
* Blacking out and forgetting one has taken a drug
 
* Discomfort, pain or bitterness in taste and harshness
*'''[[Effect::Hallucinatory states1]]'''
* Severe confusion, disorganised thinking
 
* Vertigo, spinning sensation (risk of injury)
}}
* Nausea, vomiting
 
* Susceptibility to accidents (from incoordination and change in perception of body and time)
|{{effects/cognitive|
* Severe dissociation, depersonalisation
 
* Loss of consciousness
*'''[[Effect::Anxiety suppression]]'''
* Depression of heart rate and respiration (risk increases with increased dose or when combined with depressants)
*'''[[Effect::Disinhibition]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Dissociation]]''' - One of the most pronounced effects of ether is the dissociation one feels at higher doses.
*'''[[Effect::Confusion]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Depersonalization]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Derealization]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Thought acceleration]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Thought disorganization]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Time dilation]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Compulsive redosing]]''' - Users will often develop an intense desire to binge once started.
 
}}
 
{{effects/auditory|
*'''[[Effect::Auditory distortion]]''' - Tinnitus is very common with ether and noises may also sound muffled or dampened.
}}
 
}}


===Experience reports===
===Experience reports===
There are currently no anecdotal reports which describe the effects of this compound within our [[experience index]]. Additional experience reports can be found here:
There are currently {{#ask:[[Category:Diethyl ether]][[Category:Experience]] | format=count}} experience reports which describe the effects of this substance in our [[experience index]].
{{#ask: [[Category:Diethyl ether]][[Category:Experience]]|format=ul|Columns=1}}
Additional experience reports can be found here:
*[https://www.erowid.org/experiences/subs/exp_Ether.shtml Erowid Experience Vaults: Ether]
*[https://www.erowid.org/experiences/subs/exp_Ether.shtml Erowid Experience Vaults: Ether]


== Harm Reduction ==
==Toxicity and harm potential==
* Huff only PURE diethyl ether as all self extractions contain harmful other chemicals.
{{toxicity}}
* Diethyl Ether is incredibly flammable so keep it away from flames
The negative effects commonly attributed to ether result from consuming an impure formulation, such as starting fluid. All forms of starting fluid commonly sold contain neurotoxic alkanes, which, unlike ether, will cause permanent brain damage. Users should avoid these harmful effects by obtaining pure reagent grade, pure diethyl ether, or distilling the ether from the starting fluid.
* To avoid explosions store it in a dark colored bottle in a freezer/refrigerator.
 
* The lethal dose is far beyond the dose that would cause one to vomit and lose consciousness, but huff slowly taking breaks frequently.
Ether is highly flammable and, as such, should not be used near an open flame or near a lit cigarette.  A mixture of ether and air may explode if it reaches a source of ignition.
* Don't inhale ether if you don't want to smell like gas for the following 24 hours. It seeps out of your skin and mouth.
 
It is highly advised to use [[harm reduction practices]] if using this substance.
Ether is very nontoxic and has a very wide therapeutic index.  Ether inhalation leads to unconsciousness long before it leads to enough respiratory depression sufficient to cause death.  Therefore, provided the ether is being inhaled from a cloth (not an inhalation apparatus) it is almost impossible to inhale a lethal dose.  Ether has an oral LD50 of 3.56 ml/kg in rats when ingested as a bolus.  More ether than this can be tolerated when inhaled and, as mentioned before, it is nearly impossible to inhale a lethal dose.
 
The ingestion of ether, however, is rather dangerous and requires extreme caution.  Pure diethyl ether is incredibly difficult to drink, as it boils at 34.6 °C, well below the average human body temperature.  Because of this issue, the traditional method to drink ether is to mix 3 parts high proof alcohol to 1 part ether, drink ice cold water to cool the esophagus, and the pour the mixture (called Hoffmann's drops or 'compound spirit of ether') down the throat.  This should be done slowly and in small amounts as too much may cause the stomach to rupture from the pressure.  The experience of drinking ether in this way bears little resemblance to that caused by inhalation and is closer to that of ethanol, with added potentiation from the inhibition of alcohol dehydrogenase by the ether.
 
The piercingly sweet odour of ether stays on the breath of the user for up to 48 hours after heavy use. This may cause slight discomfort to others, although most people are unable to identify the scent as ether.
 
It is strongly recommended that one use [[responsible use|harm reduction practices]] when using this substance.
===Lethal dosage===
===Tolerance and addiction potential===
A tolerance to ether can be developed as the liver becomes better at metabolising the drug.  Ether does have
===Dangerous interactions===
{{DangerousInteractions}}
{{DangerousInteractions/Intro}}
 
Diethyl ether is metabolised into ethanol by the liver and, as such, should not be consumed with any substance that cannot be consumed with alcohol.
 
==Legal status==
{{LegalStub}}
Possession and use of diethyl ether holds no penalty in most countries, excepting Poland.


==External links==
==External links==
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diethyl_ether Diethyl ether (Wikipedia)]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diethyl_ether Diethyl ether (Wikipedia)]
*[https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/ether/ Ether (Erowid Vault)]
*[https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/ether/ Ether (Erowid Vault)]
*[https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.1360-0443.2003.00439.x (Ether: a forgotten addiction)]
*[https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/11462 (NEG and NIOSH basis for an occupational health standard; ethyl ether)]


[[Category:Approval]]
[[Category:Psychoactive substance]]
[[Category:Inhalant]]
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