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Talk:Diethyl ether: Difference between revisions
>Chamberwok m Grammatics + rephrasing sentences which may be confusing |
>Kovoc Fixed some incorrect/misleading information and added in a lot of info gathered from research, personal experiences, and the experiences of people I know. |
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{{SummarySheet}} | {{SummarySheet}} | ||
{{Template talk:SubstanceBox/Diethyl ether}} | {{Template talk:SubstanceBox/Diethyl ether}} | ||
'''Diethyl | '''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. | ||
More recently, it gained popularity in the movie | 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. | ||
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. | |||
==Subjective effects== | ==Subjective effects== | ||
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|{{effects/physical| | |{{effects/physical| | ||
*'''[[Effect::Euphoria]]''' | *'''[[Effect::Euphoria]]''' | ||
*'''[[Effect::Pain relief]]''' - At moderate to heavy doses, the body becomes almost fully insensitive to pain. | |||
*'''[[Effect::Increased heart rate]]''' or '''[[Effect::Decreased heart rate]] | *'''[[Effect::Increased heart rate]]''' or '''[[Effect::Decreased heart rate]] | ||
*'''[[Effect::Increased perspiration]]''' | *'''[[Effect::Increased perspiration]]''' | ||
*'''[[Dizziness]]''' | *'''[[Dizziness]]''' - | ||
*'''[[Nausea]]''' | *'''[[Nausea]]''' | ||
*'''[[Respiratory depression]]''' | *'''[[Respiratory depression]]''' | ||
*'''Ether smelling''' - Users reported that during 1-3 days after consumption, bodily fluids, and more notably the user's breath, smells of ether | *'''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. | ||
}} | }} | ||
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====Distortions==== | ====Distortions==== | ||
*'''[[Effect::Visual distortion]]''' | *'''[[Effect::Visual distortion]]''' - At heavy doses of ether, it becomes very difficult to focus one's eyes, leading to one's vision being blurred. | ||
*'''[[Effect::Tunnel vision]]''' - A common effect of a moderate dose of ether is the development of pronounced tunnel vision. | |||
====[[Effect::Geometry]]==== | ====[[Effect::Geometry]]==== | ||
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*'''[[Effect::Anxiety suppression]]''' | *'''[[Effect::Anxiety suppression]]''' | ||
*'''[[Effect::Disinhibition]]''' | *'''[[Effect::Disinhibition]]''' | ||
*'''[[Effect::Dissociation]]''' - One of the most pronounced effects of ether is the dissociation one feels at higher doses. | |||
*'''[[Effect::Confusion]]''' | *'''[[Effect::Confusion]]''' | ||
*'''[[Effect::Depersonalization]]''' | *'''[[Effect::Depersonalization]]''' | ||
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*'''[[Effect::Thought acceleration]]''' | *'''[[Effect::Thought acceleration]]''' | ||
*'''[[Effect::Thought disorganization]]''' | *'''[[Effect::Thought disorganization]]''' | ||
*'''[[Effect::Compulsive redosing]]''' - | *'''[[Effect::Time dilation]]''' | ||
*'''[[Effect::Compulsive redosing]]''' - Users will often develop an intense desire to binge once started. | |||
}} | }} | ||
{{effects/auditory| | {{effects/auditory| | ||
*'''[[Effect::Auditory distortion]]''' | *'''[[Effect::Auditory distortion]]''' - Tinnitus is very common with ether and noises may also sound muffled or dampened. | ||
}} | }} | ||
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==Toxicity and harm potential== | ==Toxicity and harm potential== | ||
{{toxicity}} | {{toxicity}} | ||
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. | |||
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. | 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. | ||
* Diethyl | * Diethyl ether is incredibly flammable so keep it away from flames | ||
* The lethal dose is far beyond the dose that would cause one to vomit and lose consciousness, but huff slowly taking breaks frequently. | * The lethal dose is far beyond the dose that would cause one to vomit and lose consciousness, but huff slowly taking breaks frequently. | ||
* Don't inhale ether if you don't want to smell like gas for the following 24-48 hours. It seeps out of your skin and mouth. | * Don't inhale ether if you don't want to smell like gas for the following 24-48 hours. It seeps out of your skin and mouth. | ||
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{{DangerousInteractions}} | {{DangerousInteractions}} | ||
{{DangerousInteractions/Intro}} | {{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== | ==Legal status== | ||
{{LegalStub}} | {{LegalStub}} | ||
Possession and use of diethyl ether holds no penalty in most countries, excepting Poland. | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||