# How common is formaldehyde (w/ or w/o pot) a drug to get high? How does it work? \[Plus: Brains!\]

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-common-is-formaldehyde-w-or-w-o-pot-a-drug-to-get-high-how-does-it-work-plus-brains/760324>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 19, 2016, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-common-is-formaldehyde-w-or-w-o-pot-a-drug-to-get-high-how-does-it-work-plus-brains/760324 "2016-07-19T15:03:30Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 2

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\
**Post date:** [July 24, 2016, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-common-is-formaldehyde-w-or-w-o-pot-a-drug-to-get-high-how-does-it-work-plus-brains/760324/21 "2016-07-24T22:32:20Z")

</div>

> [@Leo\_Bloom](#):
>
> …
> 
> I’ve read, now, that people will inhale compressed O2 from keyboard cleaners and the like–so the our/my question of the neurological (toxic) effects of the abused “drug” versus the subjective effect of plain old O2 suppression (possible, and Keith Carradine explorable) or maybe (I don’t understand the keyboard cleaner thing yet) O2 saturation…

Re O2 in: so I found out that the Darwin Award guy who put the car tire compressor hose, or something, up his butt has been deprecated to urban legend. But I did find this, and will probably drop the topic unless I find something about absorption through lungs, which was actually the topic.

Case Report  
Journal of Forensic Sciences  
10/15/2012  
**[Self-Induced Fatal Air Embolism: Accidental Autoerotic Death or Suicide?](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2012.02302.x/full)**  
Manoel E. S. Modelli M.D., Ph.D.,  
Maciel S. Rodrigues M.D.,  
Bruno Z. M. Castro,  
Rodrigo S. Corrêa

Autoeroticism comprises behavior deviations aimed at producing sexual gratification through the manipulation of one’s own body. The use of asphyxia and the induction of pain (masochism) are well-known examples. “Atypical forms” of such behaviors have appeared in the literature as isolated cases. Fatal air embolism is most common in women (causing abortion), being very rare in men (urethral trauma). The authors present a probable case of air embolism associated with signs of autoeroticism, instrumented by the delivery of air through a system formed by a compressor (typical of those used in refrigerators), a syringe barrel, a segment of latex tubing (tourniquet), and a needle, which was found inserted into the glans penis of an adult male. The hypothesis of accidental death was chosen due to the findings at the scene. The body was decomposing when found, which hampered the conduction of examinations.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-common-is-formaldehyde-w-or-w-o-pot-a-drug-to-get-high-how-does-it-work-plus-brains/760324.md?page=1)