Can You Smoke Fentanyl? The Dangers of Smoking and Snorting Fentanyl

What Is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid analgesic, boasts a potency 50 times greater than heroin and a striking 100 times more powerful than morphine. This drug serves medical purposes to heighten sedation during surgical procedures, manage moderate to severe pain pre- and post-operation, and alleviate distress in patients grappling with terminal illnesses. Acknowledging its lawful medical utility, the DEA categorizes it as a Schedule II drug.

In its prescribed, legitimate form, fentanyl goes by names such as:

• Actiq.
• Duragesic.
• Sublimaze.

While on the illicit market, it’s identified by street names like:

The calming effects, euphoria, and pain relief potential of fentanyl contribute to its highly addictive nature, compelling even individuals with no previous history of substance use or dependence.

Why is Smoking Fentanyl so Dangerous?

In 2021, an estimated 77% of overdose deaths in the United States involved fentanyl.

Even the tiniest amount of fentanyl, just two milligrams, can dramatically slow down or completely halt your breathing. Insufficient oxygen reaching the brain can result in coma, permanent brain damage, and, ultimately, death.

A barely visible speck of fentanyl is potent enough to be fatal. Dealers are increasingly using larger quantities of this synthetic opioid to dilute their drugs. This lethal mixture has led to fentanyl overdoses becoming the leading cause of death among American adults aged 18 to 45, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).

What Are the Dangers of Smoking Fentanyl?

Inhaling or smoking fentanyl poses significant risks, primarily due to the accelerated onset of its effects and the heightened intensity of the high, akin to snorting the drug. This method allows the substance to reach the bloodstream and the brain rapidly, intensifying the immediate euphoric sensations experienced by the user.

However, smoking fentanyl has its dangers. One of the most pressing concerns is the challenge of controlling the dosage. Because smoking fentanyl involves inhaling the substance, it becomes challenging to measure and regulate the amount consumed accurately. This lack of control over the dose significantly amplifies the risk of overdose, as even a slight miscalculation can lead to dangerous, potentially life-threatening consequences.

Moreover, smoking fentanyl carries a direct threat to lung health. The practice of inhaling fentanyl poses a risk of lung damage and toxicity. The drug’s direct exposure to lung tissues during inhalation can contribute to respiratory issues, lung irritation, and potentially severe lung damage over time. These risks make smoking fentanyl an unsafe method of ingestion, further accentuating the potential health hazards associated with its use.

Short-Term Effects of Smoking Fentanyl

Immediate and profound effects may be experienced by individuals using fentanyl, whether intentionally or accidentally. Common short-term physical effects of fentanyl include:

• Intense euphoria: Fentanyl triggers a rapid feeling of pleasure and relaxation.
• Sedation: Fentanyl may induce extreme drowsiness or sedation, affecting normal functioning.
• Respiratory depression: Its impact on breathing can cause slowed or shallow breathing, leading to decreased oxygen supply and potentially respiratory failure.
• Nausea and vomiting: Fentanyl use can result in discomfort and potential dehydration due to nausea and vomiting.
• Confusion and disorientation: Fentanyl might cause confusion, disorientation, and impaired cognitive function, hindering clear thinking or sound judgment.

Long-Term Effects of Smoking Fentanyl

Continued fentanyl use can severely impact both physical and mental health over time. Some long-term side effects include:

• Tolerance and dependence: Prolonged fentanyl use may result in tolerance, requiring higher doses for the same effect. This can lead to dependence, where quitting or reducing usage causes withdrawal symptoms.
• Addiction: Fentanyl’s strong euphoric effects can trigger compulsive drug-seeking behavior, creating a challenging cycle of addiction, both physically and psychologically.
• Organ damage: Fentanyl abuse can harm vital organs, particularly the liver, kidneys, and heart. Reduced oxygen due to respiratory issues can also damage various body systems.
• Mental health disorders: Fentanyl use raises the risk of developing mental health issues like anxiety and depression by disrupting brain chemistry and impacting neurotransmitters’ natural balance.

Learn More:

• What Does Fentanyl Look Like?
• What Is Fentanyl?
• How Long Does Fentanyl Stay In Your System
• Fentanyl Withdrawal
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• How Long Does Hydrocodone Stay in Urine?
• What is Norco? Norco Drug For Severe Pain Information
• The Dangers of Hydrocodone Addiction, Symptoms & Treatment
• Hydrocodone Side Effects, Uses, Addiction and More
• Is Oxycodone Addictive
• What Is Oxycodone?
• Oxycodone Side Effects
• Opiate Withdrawal
• Opioid Withdrawal Timeline
• Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms
• Tramadol vs Oxycodone: Which is Better? Side Effect Comparison
• Oxycodone Dosage Guide, Precautions, and Max Dose
• Oxycodone Vs Oxycontin. Differences & Similarities, Abuse & Treatment Options

How Fentanyl Abuse Begins

Understanding the typical paths to fentanyl addiction is crucial for recognizing warning signs in yourself or a loved one, mainly if the opioid is prescribed. Often, the stories of painkiller addiction originate from legitimate prescriptions. Even when taken as directed, prolonged exposure to fentanyl alters brain function, leading to dependence on the drug for normal functioning.

Fentanyl changes the brain’s natural production of euphoria-inducing chemicals like dopamine. Acting as a substitute for dopamine, fentanyl causes the brain to reduce its production since the drug takes over. When fentanyl use stops, the central nervous system struggles to generate dopamine, making it challenging to experience pleasure until the body thoroughly detoxifies from the drug.

Breaking the brain’s reliance on substances like drugs or alcohol involves a period of withdrawal symptoms during the healing process. Withdrawal symptoms encompass both physical and psychological effects, making it challenging to manage alone. In severe abuse cases, attempting detox without medical assistance can even be life-threatening due to intensified withdrawal symptoms. Seeking medical detox from a reputable treatment center is strongly recommended.

Symptoms of Fentanyl Overdose

• Profound drowsiness, lethargy, lightheadedness, or dizziness.
• Severe challenges with balance, walking, and reduced motor coordination.
• Reports of nausea and vomiting.
• Substantial mental state alterations include slurred speech, slowed thought processes (observed through prolonged speech), confusion, irrational behavior, and aggression.
• Pinpoint pupils, bluish or purplish lips, hands, feet, fingernails, and toenails.
• Noticeable slow or shallow breathing, potentially leading to the cessation of breathing or gurgling sounds.
• Significant drop in blood pressure and heart rate.
• Loss of consciousness or entering a comatose state.

The lethal effects resulting from a fentanyl overdose primarily occur due to the drug’s substantial suppression of the respiratory system, often leading to difficulty or complete cessation of breathing, caused by its central nervous system depressant effects.

How do People Smoke Fentanyl

For the most part, when people smoke fentanyl illegally, they heat the powdered drug on foil or some other heat-resistant surface. People vaporize the powdered substance after placing it on the foil using a lighter or other heat source. Fentanyl is inhaled by users through a tube, straw, or similar device as it transforms into a vapor. A common name for this technique is “chasing the dragon,” and it entails breathing in the fentanyl vapor that escapes from the heated foil.

What to do if Someone Smoking Fentanyl Overdoses

• Immediately contact medical emergency services (call 911).
• Refrain from attempting CPR or giving medications unless adequately trained.
• If the individual is breathing, place them on their side to prevent choking in case of vomiting.
• Trained responders can position the person in the standard recovery stance, ensuring open airways.
• Avoid giving any fluids; stay with the person and monitor their breathing until help arrives.
• Naloxone (brand name: Narcan), if available and administered by trained individuals, can potentially save a person’s life. Naloxone functions as an opioid antagonist, binding to brain opioid receptors, displacing any opioids present, and triggering an immediate withdrawal response. Swift administration of naloxone can avert a potentially fatal situation.

How Long Does a Fentanyl High Last?

The period during which fentanyl exerts its effects and lingers within the body can vary significantly. Similar to heroin, fentanyl is classified as a short-acting opioid, resulting in effects that persist for a shorter duration compared to long-acting opioids such as methadone.

Duration of Effects:

• Fentanyl’s effects range from 30 minutes to 3 days, contingent upon the dosage and method of administration.
• Factors influencing its impact include the onset speed, intensity, duration, and presence in the body.

Method of Consumption:

• The mode of drug intake significantly influences the effects and propensity for addiction.
• Rapid ingestion methods like smoking or injection facilitate swift entry into the bloodstream and quick access to the brain.
• Slower absorption occurs through mucous membranes in the mouth or nose, while ingestion requires passage through the digestive system.

Different Delivery Methods:

• Injection: Effects from injected fentanyl may last 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Oral/Nasal Absorption: Transmucosal fentanyl can result in effects for 2 to 4 hours.
• Skin Application: Transdermal fentanyl absorbed through the skin may persist for 72 hours.

73%

Synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, were involved in almost 73% of all opioid-related overdose deaths in 2019.

Source: CDC

57%

Fentanyl seizures by law enforcement in the US increased by 57% from 2019 to 2020, with nearly 17,000 pounds of fentanyl seized in 2020.

Source: DEA