Follow @Erowid on Instagram!
Why the Hype
Ether
Citation:   Merlin. "Why the Hype: An Experience with Ether (exp93890)". Erowid.org. Apr 30, 2018. erowid.org/exp/93890

 
DOSE:
  repeated inhaled Ether
BODY WEIGHT: 128 lb
I had been curious about diethyl ether for a long time because Duke said it was the only drug in their kit that worried him when he and and Gonzo were heading out on their Vegas trip in 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.' I was very surprised to discover that it is not a scheduled substance in the US, or at least not C1 or C2, and it can be ordered online. I got mine from a Texas company which was referred on some web page. I searched suppliers in my own state and found one who was selling it for one-tenth the price, but disappointingly they only sold to college science departments and to labs, and I have no idea who to fake those credentials.

As luck would have it when I got home from my last day of work for the week I discovered the package had arrived. I decided to drink that night instead and only took a few whiffs off the mouth of the bottle. When I smelled it my first thought was that it was so familiar. Ive smelled it somewhere before. I think now it might have been in nail polish remover I smelled it in but im not sure.

The next night I got into it in earnest. I got an orange light in my room and set everything up. I put three cotton balls in a bandana and I would put the balls over the mouth of the bottle and wet them, then wrap them up a fold or two in the rag. This method kept the ether from evaporating very fast but it still evaporated fast. I put on my 'Fear and Loathing' DVD and started sniffing the rag. After a few minutes of sniffing almost continually I was surprised I didnt feel more effect. A bit light headed was all I was feeling. I was wetting the cotton balls fairly often and started pressing the rag against my nose as hard as I could stand to. When the rag is wet the vapors really burn your nose. Then I did start to feel high. A couple of times I felt fear coming on but I relaxed and it melted into feelings of love and that everything will ultimately be alright. All these things would come and go in a minute.

I kept sniffing the rag and when I got up to walk around I was surprised I wasnt walking funny. I wasnt stumbling around or dizzy like the characters in the movie. The little bit of head-high was gone. I was disappointed with it, sat back down and continued sniffing. I was sitting there feeling fine, watching the movie, when suddenly I started vomiting on myself. There was maybe 1 or 2 seconds of warning before I vomited. This was about 31.5 minutes after I started sniffing (I know because of where I stopped the movie). Fortunately Id been able to hold back and had only puked on my cloths (later I found a few drops on the carpet that probably fell when I got up). I jumped up and ran to the toilet and vomited like the bottom falling out of a bucket, it all came out in one blast, no heaving or repeated vomits. Apparently the ether had anesthetized my stomach because I had felt no nausea or discomfort at all. However after I puked I did feel a little nauseous. I probably shouldnt have used ether soon after eating.

Even if I wasnt feeling it much I was high because when I started puking on myself I paused the movie before leaving and I took the ether rag with me to the bathroom, haha. Interestingly I started to vomit just a few seconds before the characters in the movie use ether the first time. After that I was finished for the night. I changed cloths and laid down. I had trouble going to sleep because I felt bad and because I kept smelling and tasting the ether every time I breathed out. That was the worst thing about it, every time I exhaled I could smell the ether! It crossed my mind I might still be getting high off the fumes in my breath but then laughed at the idea.

The next morning I felt fine, no head ache or anything. The smell of the ether was almost completely gone but still every once in awhile Id get a tiny taste of ether in the back of my throat.

Exp Year: 2011ExpID: 93890
Gender: Male 
Age at time of experience: 35
Published: Apr 30, 2018Views: 3,945
[ View PDF (to print) ] [ View LaTeX (for geeks) ] [ Swap Dark/Light ]
Ether (131) : General (1), First Times (2), Difficult Experiences (5), Hangover / Days After (46), Alone (16)

COPYRIGHTS: All reports copyright Erowid.
No AI Training use allowed without written permission.
TERMS OF USE: By accessing this page, you agree not to download, analyze, distill, reuse, digest, or feed into any AI-type system the report data without first contacting Erowid Center and receiving written permission.

Experience Reports are the writings and opinions of the authors who submit them. Some of the activities described are dangerous and/or illegal and none are recommended by Erowid Center.


Experience Vaults Index Full List of Substances Search Submit Report User Settings About Main Psychoactive Vaults