Ok, we all know there are drugs out there that can assist people in
sleeping (i.e. "Diphenhydramine HCl" which can be found in Tylenol PM
as a "Sleep Aid")...
Now my question is:
Is there a drug that can cause a person to go from a deep sleep (REM
[Rapid Eye Movement] sleep), or any sort of sleeping condition for
that matter... to wide awake? And further more can this drug/chemical
be made into an inhaler of some sort...
Bottom Line: Can a person inhale a drug/chemical (or even a smell of
some sort) thru their nose or mouth and cause them to wake up from
sleep?
And what are the side effects if any of this drug?

Hi,
As the comments below point out, the compound you are looking for is
old fashioned "smelling salts," spirits of ammonia, Ammonium
carbonate, (NH3)2CO3·H2O.

It is commonly mixed with a perfume - often eucalyptus oil. Although a
1905 recipe calls for a solution of oil of nutmegs, oil of lemon and
dilute alcohol.
http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/petersen/ammonium.html

The standard method of administration is inhalant amoules. These are
small vials covered with a cloth. This remedy is standard in a well
stocked first aid kit. Break the vial and pass it in front of the
swooner or the sleeping person and the reaction is immediate.

Smelling salts work as a stimulant. "The ammonia fumes from the salts
irritate the membranes of the nose and lungs, which triggers a reflex
causing the muscles that control breathing to work faster."
http://ask.yahoo.com/ask/20001206.html

http://www.bartleby.com/65/am/ammonia.html provides the The Columbia
Encyclopedia definition and some interesting facts about the history
of the compound. "Because ammonia was formerly obtained by destructive
distillation of horns and hooves of animals, its water solution was
called spirits of hartshorn."

http://www.inchem.org/documents/jecfa/jecmono/v17je02.htm has along
list of animal tests that give an overview of the side effects,
stating that it's pretty bland unless you really take a extreme
amount. The 1905 herbalist cited above has some pretty drastic side
effects including paralysis and coma. Another medical source from 1902
warns,"prolonged inhalation inducing violent inflammation and oedema
of the glottis."
http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/potter-comp/ammonium.html

Taking the normal amount available in an amoule, doesn't seem to
produce any adverse side effects.

The "Household Cyclopedia of General Information" published in 1881
uses "aromatic spirits of ammonia" in combination with other drugs to
treat epidemic cholera.
http://www.publicbookshelf.com/public_html/The_Household_Cyclopedia_of_General_Information/cholera_bba.html

Another useful bit of trivia is that it can be used as a cure for the
hiccups!
"Mix two teaspoonsful of baking soda, two teaspoonsful of aromatic
spirits of ammonia with four ounces of peppermint water. Dose: one
tablespoonful; repeat if necessary." Ummm, yum!
http://www.health911.com/remedies/rem_hic.htm

Camphor is the main ingedient in Tiger Balm. Curiously, the brain
registers the scent of camphor pretty much the same as ammonia when
there is only a small amount of molecules present.
(http://www.asa3.org/archive/evolution/199910/0004.html)

The stimulant properties of this type of molecule cause a physical
reaction that make you breathe faster and your heart beat faster.
That's what wakes you up. So, basically anything that has strong
stimulant properties when inhaled will cause you to wake up.

Personally, I'll stick with that pot of coffee sending out it's
molecules in the morning. It may not be as effective as smelling
salts, but it's much more pleasant!

search terms: "smelling salts" stimulant inhalant physiological
ammonia

bcguide

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Request for Answer Clarification by basskozz-ga on 01 Nov 2002 09:56 PST

Real quick is there any other sort of substance that has the same
effect as the smelling salts, ammonia, or camphor that doesn't have a
strong smell to it ?

Thank you for your prompt answer

---

Clarification of Answer by bcguide-ga on 01 Nov 2002 10:22 PST

Spike Lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint or lemon are strong stimulating
scents that are not usually thought of as unpleasant. Concentrated
oils are available all over the Internet and make nice room
deodorizers too - just a drop or two freshens the room for days and
keeps you perky :-) Be careful where you put the oil - it may stain.

Make sure it's spike lavender. The typical lavender scent is calming
not a pick me up!

bcguide

I don't want to post this as an answer, since I don't have the time to
go into detail, but I think you're looking for a preparation of
ammonium carbonate and a perfume: "smelling salts". Has been known to
waken people from comas, acts by way of being a brain irritant. I
don't think there are any side effects from short-term use, but am not
sure.

Not so sure about chemicals, but I find that a sharp pinch is very
effective at waking up people.....

Various chemicals have been tried, like Ammonia (or commonly known as
smelling salt), or very strong smelling substances (some folks use
Tiger Balm and other ointments).

The general principle is to shock the body into a reaction to the new
stimuli, the body generally would react by quickly jump starting your
brain as you would need to prepare for a Flight or Fight decision.

Used to carry small bottles of " smelling salts " in my pharmacy
refigerator for the local funeral parlor. ( For the mourners , not the
clients ) Aromatic ammonia ampules to be snapped in half kept better
but cost more.I remember Lavender oil was added to the ammonium
carbonate . It certainly would wake a fainting person....Hartshorn (
the pure ammonium carbonate chunks ) was sold for use in a certain
kind of German cookie recipe.I have tasted them..they give you quite a
jolt when freshly eaten .( sort of like rum balls do )