...or how to get rid of them.

I sometimes press '8' by mistake (aiming for F8) and end up in the paint effects bit (as far as I understand it). I can't seem to shake it off easily. I have to wait until I quit and then answer no to the 'apply paint effects' dialogue.
It's very nerve-wracking if I'm in the middle of a tricky procedure (which is just about everything) to have this getting in the way. Is there a way I can 'escape' the paint effects mode?