Phenomenology of intoxication with toluene-based adhesives and butane gas.

The phenomenology of solvent inhalation was investigated comparing a group of young people who misused toluene (n = 31) with a group misusing butane (n = 12). Marked changes of mental state were invariable. Most users reported elevation of mood and hallucinations but a rich variety of phenomena was elicited. Nearly one-quarter of subjects had the potentially dangerous delusion of believing they were able to fly or swim. In the toluene group thoughts were more likely to be slowed, time appeared to pass more quickly and tactile hallucinations were more commonly reported than in the butane group. Withdrawal phenomena and tolerance were also looked at.