View source for Insufflation (medicine)

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[[Image:Snortcocaine.jpg|thumb|left|300px|A man insufflating, or 'snorting', white powder with a rolled up dollar bill.]]
'''Insufflation''' (Latin ''insufflatio'' "blowing on or into") is the practice of [[Inhalation|inhaling]] substances into a [[body cavity]]. Insufflation has limited medical use, but is a common [[route of administration]] with many [[respiration|respiratory]] drugs used to treat conditions in the [[lung]]s ([[asthma]] or [[emphysema]]) and [[paranasal sinus]] ([[allergy]]).

The technique is common for many [[Recreational drug use|recreational drugs]] and is also used for some [[entheogen]]s. Nasal insufflation is commonly used for many [[psychoactive drug]]s because it causes a much faster onset than orally and [[bioavailability]] is usually, but not always, higher than orally. This bioavailability occurs due to the quick absorption of chemical molecules into the [[Circulatory system|bloodstream]] through the soft tissue in the [[mucous membrane]] of the [[Paranasal sinus|sinus cavity]]. Some drugs have a higher rate of absorption, and are thus more effective in smaller doses, through this route.

The '''intranasal route''' (administration through the nose) may allow certain drugs and other molecules to bypass the [[blood-brain barrier]] via [[diffusion]] or [[axonal transport]] along [[olfactory nerve|olfactory]] and [[trigeminal nerve]]s.<ref>William H. Frey. [http://www.drugdeliverytech.com/cgi-bin/articles.cgi?idArticle=61 "Bypassing the Blood-Brain Barrier to Deliver Therapeutic Agents to the Brain and Spinal Cord."] Drug Delivery Technology.</ref>

==Medical uses==
===As a medical procedure===

Inert, nontoxic gases, such as [[carbon dioxide]], are often insufflated into a body cavity, in order to expand workroom, or reduce obstruction during [[minimally invasive surgery|minimally invasive]] or [[laparoscopic surgery]].

In the 18th century, the [[tobacco smoke enema]], an insufflation of tobacco smoke into the rectum, was a common method of reviving drowning victims.

===As a method of administering drugs===

{{otheruses3|Insufflation (disambiguation)}}

Insufflation can also be synonymous with inhalation. [[Psychoactive]] substances are often inhaled nasally for the purpose of intranasal absorption through the [[mucous membrane]], which is often more rapid, or more complete, than [[gastrointestinal tract|gastrointestinal]] absorption. For a substance to be effective when insufflated, it must be water soluble so it can be absorbed into the mucous membranes.  This practice is commonly referred to as ''snorting'', ''bumping'', or ''railing''.
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Commonly insufflated psychoactive substances include:

*[[Cocaine]] - benzoylmethyl ecgonine - a strong stimulant
*[[Ketamine]] - dissociative anesthetic
*[[Heroin]]/[[Morphine]] - powerful [[opiate]]s
*[[Opioids]] - a class of narcotics, typically semi-synthetic (e.g. [[oxycodone]] and [[hydromorphone]]) or completely synthetic (e.g. [[meperidine]]) 
*[[Phencyclidine]] - dissociative anesthetic, more commonly known by the acronym ''PCP'' or slang term ''angel dust''
*[[Amphetamine]]s - D-[[methamphetamine]] (speed) and the [[racemic]] D/L-[[amphetamine]] 
*[[Ritalin]] - methylphenidate, a stimulant closely related to amphetamine, but often reported to have effects similar to that of cocaine when insufflated
*[[Methylenedioxymethamphetamine|MDMA]]/Ecstasy - an [[Empathogen-entactogen|entactogen]] 
*[[Zolpidem]] (Ambien) - a sedative hypnotic that can have various hallucinogenic effects with certain people and/or at high doses
*[[Snuff|Tobacco snuff]] - contains nicotine, a mild stimulant that is highly addictive. 
*[[Caffeine]] - common legal stimulant
Various other drugs can be snorted so long as they are water soluble, though the substances listed are insufflated regularly.

Note: Some psychoactive substances such as benzodiazepines (valium, oxazepam, clonazepam) are water soluble to a small degree (about 350ml/1000&nbsp;mg). Though this means they will be somewhat effective when insufflated, they will not be as readily absorbed into the mucous membrane as highly soluble substances such as amphetamines and opiates.

==References==

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[[Category:Medical terms]]
[[Category:Pharmacy]]

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