Butane

[Emerita]

Inhaling butane, a central nervous system depressant, can lead to serious and potentially fatal effects. Due to its high lipid solubility, butane rapidly enters the central nervous system (CNS). Butane is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs, where it displaces oxygen, leading to hypoxia. This volatile gas can have anesthetic effects, and most fatalities occur rapidly.

Direct Hazards
The inhalation of butane has the potential to cause severe brain damage and other neurotoxic effects. Cardiac arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, can result from Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome (SSDS). SSDS is recognized in the majority of butane related deaths, SSDS is especially dangerous for those who experience rapid increases in adrenaline after inhalation. Other potential causes of death include neurological damage, suffocation, choking, flammable accidents, and multiple organ failure.

No Qualitative Evidence For Human LC50
Rodent studies suggest an LC50 around 680 g/m³ over 2 hours (~287,000 ppm), although human equivalents have not been established.

Case Review Studies 2022
Involving 54 patients with butane toxicity revealed that most died at the scene some died in the hospital. In this study survival rate was 20%, only 11 patients survived, experiencing severe medical manifestations such as:

- Coma
- Seizures
- Ventricular fibrillation
- Myocardial infarction
- Rhabdomyolysis
- Hypoxia
- Motor impairment

Survivors received critical medical care and primarily exhibited cardiac and neurological symptoms, with many eventually making a full recovery. The study showed favorable outcomes for patients, although many required rehabilitation. MRI and autopsy reports indicated white matter damage and basal ganglia injury in both survivors and those who died.

Death Statistics - butane has high mortality rates

2024 Review of 58 butane-related deaths:
- 11 cases were suicides (18%)
- 1 case was a homicide (2%)
- 44 cases were accidental (76%)
- 2 cases were work related deaths (4%)

Autopsy findings commonly included pulmonary edema (51%) and multi-visceral congestion (59%).

The Experience of Dying can vary, but it is generally characterized by a rapid onset.

- Euphoria and Disorientation:
- Loss of Consciousness:
- Physical Symptoms:

Butane is a relatively rare method of suicide, most deaths are accidental and occur among individuals who have history of chronic abuse of the substance. People who huff butane may do so incrementally, using higher doses.

I have a can right in front of me it has this warning:

"Deliberately inhaling highly flammable butane is extremely dangerous and can cause instant death"

Butane substance abuse side effects:

Immediate	Long term
Slurred speech	Tinnitus
Hallucinations	Vision impairment
Nausea or headache	Lack of coordination
Sedation	Coughing
Aggression	Dizziness
Short term memory loss	Shortness of breath

I just thought about this I don't know how dangerous and stupid this is and wouldn't advise this to anyone as this is just a thought process I had.

Make modifications to a torch if the flint or ignition mechanism is removed, the torch would not ignite on its own, requiring an external ignition source. This could lead to a situation where the torch can be used to dispense butane without immediate ignition.

In this modified state, the torch could potentially allow for the controlled flow of butane gas, similar to how gas dispensing systems operate just to a lesser extent. This could enable a setup where the gas is released without a flame, pose as a way to administer inhalation, if the torch has lock this would allow for the continued flow of the gas. If not handled properly explosion is possible.

Any modifications to a butane torch should be approached with extreme caution due to the inherent dangers associated with handling flammable gases. A safe environment is crucial. knowing the dangers associated with this chemical is essential doing your own research allows for better insight.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bcpt.13760
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5505817/
https://propanehq.com/how-is-butane-harmful-to-humans-2/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK201460/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4563975/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4309026/
small study fact sheet

 

[gothbird]

Butane and propane are often misused to get high. PPH doesn't have anything on these gases though, so please be cautious.

Butane is a relatively rare method of suicide, most deaths are accidental and occur among individuals who have history of chronic abuse of the substance.

There are quite a few NIH articles discussing how some folks have used CPAP masks and similar items in relation to butane suicides. Honestly, I think there may be even more people than the research indicates who use it for suicide, possibly having abused it beforehand. Of course, that's just a theory. The method seems to be similar to other gas suicides. If anyone's interested in reading more about reports from NIH, you can try using ("Suicide"[MAJR]) AND "Butanes"[MAJR] as your search criteria. Here are some I glossed over:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1752928X24000246 - A suicide in prison from Butane
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32519317/ - Aforementioned CPAP mask suicide with Butane
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29017087/ - Article about how there is a rise in Butane deaths and/or suicides in Japan
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40060255/ - Butane mentioned as a gas related death thing (shouts out SS without saying it haha)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22402846/ - Suicidal intoxication with Butane
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/13606532/ - Suicide attempt with Butane
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/13509354/ - Suicide with Butane
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/5077807/ - Suicide with Butane
https://keio.elsevierpure.com/en/pu...cases-involving-asphyxia-by-butane-inhalation - Study on two Butane suicides

Thanks for the thread. Interesting offering to the ever growing list of suicide methods haha.

 

[bankai]

Hmm I used a gas cannister to caramelize the sugar on the creme brulee I made.it was a butane can brazing torch.easily available online.

 

[Emerita]

I tested the butane not with the intention of ctb right now, but rather to get a feel for it, so I guess I will report my findings/ experience. I experimented with inhaling a small amount of the gas in a few different ways. The first I tried filling up a bag straight from the can which I found difficult. Then I tried by I covering the nozzle of the can with a bit of paper towel to prevent the liquid from touching my skin, and inhaling it from that. I found this method a bit awkward to execute. Also it made my mouth dry.

Next, I modified a torch, which turned out to be much less awkward. I ended up closing the airflow which originally I had forgotten. This method I inhaled a larger amount more easily and without worrying about the liquid. I improvised this with minimal planning and used items that were accessible without leaving my chair.

Even with the small amount I inhaled, I could definitely feel a sedative effect. It made my heart feel weak and sometimes mildly hurt, my chest felt warm or tightened in some cases. I experienced a mild headache that was felt in the front of my head along with a sleepy, high that reached a peak at probably 5 minutes. Initially it was apparent I was inhaling something toxic as my body didn't like it, but I hadn't experienced any pain at such a low dose. Very mild discomfort in my stomach area. My breathing became slower and shallow, I could feel the displaced oxygen as after inhalation I was breathing normal air, so I didn't feel like I was suffocating. My brain slowed down quite a bit I was on meth during this and the butane made me not feel the stimulant effect I was on. I did experience short term memory loss initially but this only happened a few times and did not continue. Some dizziness, faintness, and mild impairment/ slowed movement again not lasting though. I felt tired and calm, my heart was the longest lasting as all the others were very brief but my the heart and chest side effects continued for maybe 45 minutes. I forgot to add the last time I had blurry vision and felt cold, my finger nails had a slight blue tint and were very cold that they kinda ached.

I recorded bpm only twice though:
bpm 105 before butane
bpm 98 after butane
bpm 83 after butane
(last one unreliable I had a hard time counting due to confusion also after butane my heart was extremely irregular my normal resting bpm is 120 (meth))

Again, butane is highly flammable and should be handled with extreme caution. Prioritize safety when handling. If not handled correctly, it may cause an explosion or start a fire, leading to serious damage and harm to you and your environment. Butane in its liquid form may cause frostbite or burns if it makes contact with your eyes, throat or skin, this is harmful and should be avoided. Deliberate inhalation can cause immediate death. Also don't do what I did I was using another torch to smoke meth after inhalation which is dangerous, do not use a flame in an environment where butane could combust.

This reflection is my individual experience and thoughts, not a controlled or calculated study, nor did I follow any scientific method. While I've been truthful, I can't provide evidence, and I'm just a random person online. So, take what I say with a grain of salt. I do not encourage someone try this, this is educational and a personal report.

Anyway I might continue inhaling it but at higher doses in hopes I will get that sudden death but hanging is still my main method.

My Main Post: I forgot to add toxicity as one of the other potential reasons for death, this is possible though the others are much more likely to kill you before you get to the point of toxicity doing so.

 

[Intoxicated]

Initially it was apparent I was inhaling something toxic as my body didn't like it, but I hadn't experienced any pain at such a low dose.

I wonder if your body "didn't like it" due to mercaptans added to butane. When I considered using butane or propane-butane mixtures for asphyxiation, my biggest concern was related to the unpleasant odor of the chemical additives that are commonly mixed with such flammable gases in order to help people in revealing possible leaks. It looks like you didn't find anything remarkable in the smell of your butane (perhaps such a detail would otherwise be mentioned here) that I find somewhat surprising.

Anyway I might continue inhaling it but at higher doses in hopes I will get that sudden death but hanging is still my main method.

I guess, sudden death from inhalants is a rather exceptional outcome than a common thing. You know, sometimes people die from vaccination, but the average population doesn't care about this much. It's more likely to develop health complications like pulmonary edema from such inhalation practices, possibly leading to demise after experiencing quite unpleasant symptoms for a while.

I think, more rational uses of butane asphyxiation for the purposes of CTB include:

1) asphyxiation to death with a plastic bag in a manner similar to the exit bag method, but having the bag fully sealed;

2) sedation before drowning;

3) sedation before hanging;

4) sedation before jumping from height.

Tests for loss of consciousness from gas asphyxiation can be conveniently done with a latex balloon. The balloon is filled with the chosen gas (be it butane or other asphyxiant gas), then a maximum exhale is performed to release as much air from the lungs as possible, then the gas is inhaled till the whole capacity of the lungs is filled, and after that breath is held until a near-unconscious state is reached. In my experiments with nangs, this technique allowed to achieve complete blackout using only a single inspiration of an asphyxiating gas.

 

[Emerita]

@Intoxicated
I was going to put something about the smell but I found it bearable so I ended up deleting what I said about it, also I use butane often to fill my torch so I know the smell and assume others would too. Im also on crystal meth and have a high tolerance so unconsciousness is harder to achieve. I think I would more likely have a heart attack but idk. Also yeah I was thinking using it as a sedative before your actual ctb method would be the better use of it. Im also an addict so I like the high and will just huff it till my ctb date comes and if I die from that it be great but I plan to hang myself, so its not my intention to die from butane.

 

[Intoxicated]

also I use butane often to fill my torch so I know the smell and assume others would too.

Sure, most of us are likely familiar with smells of mercaptans added to flammable gases, but the experience of inhaling odorized butane mixed with large proportions of air might notably differ from what you can perceive when your airways are filled with concentrated odorized butane. For instance, 40 - 50% ethyl alcohol has a way more offensive taste than 7 - 9% alcoholic drinks, and 96% alcohol would cause just hellish burning in the throat.

Since some people actually huff butane, it may be presumed that exposure to concentrated vapours should be bearable (at least for those people), but it would be interesting to know an approximate degree of discomfort in a somewhat more detailed scale than binary bearable/unbearable. Like whether it's close to the threshold between bearable and unbearable or it's relatively mild and easily tolerable.