Inhalants

Also known as:

Glue, gas, sniff (solvents); whippets (nitrous oxide); poppers, snappers, room odourizers, aromas, and some sold under brand names such as Rush, Bolt, and Jungle Juice (nitrites).

What is it?

The term “inhalants” refers to chemical vapours or gases that produce a “high” when they are breathed in. Most of the substances used as inhalants, such as glue, gasoline, cleaning solvents and aerosols, have legitimate everyday uses, but they were never meant for human consumption. Inhalants are cheap, legal and easy to get. They can be highly dangerous and have a high potential for misuse—especially by children and young adults (CAMH, 2013).

Effects

Several breaths of solvents will produce a high within a few minutes of use. This high may last up to 45 minutes if no more breaths are taken. Some people continue to take additional breaths to sustain the effects for several hours. As the effects wear off, the person may feel drowsy and have a hangover with a mild-to-severe headache for up to several days. The effects of nitrous oxide and nitrites are immediate and wear off within a few minutes (CAMH, 2013).

Inhaled solvents usually produce an effect similar to alcohol, but with a greater distortion of perception, such as the shape, size, and colour of objects. This also includes the distortion of time and space. New users may initially be excited, then become drowsy and fall asleep. People who use solvents more often may feel euphoric, exhilarated and have vivid fantasies. Some feel giddy, outgoing and confident (CAMH, 2013).

• Nitrous oxide produces a dreamy mental state, loss of motor control, hallucinations and an increased threshold for pain (CAMH, 2013).

• Nitrites dilate blood vessels and relax muscles. The heartbeat quickens and blood rushes to the head, creating a “rush.” Nitrites also cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and flushing. Some men use nitrites during sex for the drugs’ capacity to relax muscles and promote blood flow (CAMH, 2013).

Mental EFFECTS INCLUDE:

• Feeling giddy, outgoing, confident

• Euphoria, vivid fantasies

• Feeling sleepy, hazy

PHYSICAL EFFECTS INCLUDE:

• Dizziness, lack of coordination 

• Nausea and vomiting

• Blurred vision

• Sneezing and coughing

• Staggering

• Slow reflexes

• Sensitivity to light

(CAMH, 2019; National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2019)

Side effects and cautions

Inhalants can be extremely toxic, cause nerve and organ damage, and result in sudden death. It is recommended to avoid inhalant use, even for experimental purposes.

Most inhalants are also highly flammable; interactions with lit cigarettes and flames can cause deadly accidents (CAMH, 2013).

Different types of inhalants carry other specific dangers:

SOLVENTS AND AEROSOLS (CAMH, 2013):

• Suffocation: Solvents are often sniffed from a plastic bag, which is held firmly around the nose and mouth. People who use solvents sometimes pass out with the bag still in place and suffocate due to lack of oxygen. Choking on vomit while unconscious is also a cause of inhalant-related death.

• Dangerous behaviour: Sniffing reduces inhibition and affects the way people feel about themselves and the world around them. It makes some people feel powerful, which has led to dangerous and destructive behaviour that caused serious harm. Others don’t get high when they sniff; they get depressed. Self-destructive or suicidal behaviour are common among people who use solvents.

• Sudden sniffing death (SSD): Prolonged sniffing of highly concentrated inhalants can cause a rapid and irregular heartbeat, leading to death from heart failure. SSD can occur after only one sniffing session, and when stress or strenuous exercise follows several deep inhalations.

• Serious health problems: People who use solvents regularly for a long time can damage their liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, brain, bones, and blood. Sometimes this damage heals when drug use is stopped; sometimes it is permanent.

• Fetal solvent syndrome: Use of solvents during pregnancy, especially chronic use, can result in premature birth, birth defects or stillbirth.

NITROUS OXIDE (CAMH, 2013):

• Lack of oxygen: Sniffing pure nitrous oxide starves the body of oxygen and can result in death.

• Loss of motor control: People who use nitrous oxide while standing can fall and hurt themselves.

• Frostbite: The gas is extremely cold as it is released from the cylinder and can freeze skin. In addition, the pressure from the tank can damage the lungs.

• Nerve damage: High levels of nitrous oxide use, even with adequate oxygen, has been shown to damage nerves. This can cause numbness, weakness, and loss of balance.

NITRITES (CAMH, 2013):

• Unsafe sexual practices: An increased risk of contracting HIV and hepatitis is associated with nitrite use.

• Weakened immune system: Recent animal research shows that nitrites may impair the immune system that protects against infectious diseases.

Possible long-term use effects

The long-term use effects of inhalants vary considerably depending on which is being used. Some are permanent while others go away with the cessation of inhalant use. As mentioned previously, internal organs like the brain, liver, and kidney are particularly affected. If inhalant use is stopped, damage to the liver and kidneys may heal, but damage to the brain is almost always permanent. Long-term inhalant use can also result in permanent hearing loss and damage to bone marrow (CAMH, 2013).

General long-term use effects (CAMH, 2013):

• Bloodshot eyes

• Sores on the nose and mouth

• Nosebleeds

• Pale skin

• Excessive thirst and weight loss

• Trouble concentrating, remembering and thinking clearly

• Tiredness, depression, irritability, hostility and paranoia

Possible long-term use effects specific to certain inhalants (CAMH, 2013):

• Solvents: Numbness, weakness, tremors, and a lack of coordination in the arms and legs

• Toluene or naphthalene: Damages nerve fibres in the brain resulting in a neurological condition similar to multiple sclerosis

(CAMH, 2013; National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2019)

Harm Reduction Tips

to reduce the possible harms of INHALANTS, the following is suggested:

• Don’t sniff alone and use in a safe place. Use the buddy system if you are consuming inhalants—if you lose consciousness from excessive huffing, you are not alone.

• Use paper bags rather than plastic bags, or spray into a drink bottle.

• Smaller bags are better than large ones, because they reduce the risk of suffocation.

• Take adequate breaks in between inhalant use to give your body enough oxygen to recover.

• Don’t smoke while sniffing, and don’t keep or use inhalant products near open flames or excessive heat as they are flammable and/or explosive.

• If using aerosol cans, turn the can upside before spraying into the bag to help reduce inhaling other poisons—this will not reduce the intoxication effect

• Avoid exercise immediately after using inhalants to reduce the risk of heart attack.

• Don’t use other drugs while sniffing as this increases the risks.

• Since the effects are similar to alcohol, refrain from operating any heavy machinery or driving under the influence.

(CAMH, 2019; Family Drug Support, 2007)

References

CAMH. (2013). Inhalants. Retrieved from https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/inhalants

Family Drug Support. (2007). Inhalants. Retrieved from https://www.fds.org.au/images/Inhalants.pdf

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019, July). Commonly Abused Drugs Charts. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/commonly-abused-drugs-charts#inhalants

PsychonautWiki. (2018). Inhalants. Retrieved from https://psychonautwiki.org/wiki/Inhalants#Toxicity_and_harm_potential

Image Sources

Room deodorizer “popper” bottles. (2016). Home Office VIA. Retrieved from https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/7bad8b/poppers-not-banned-psychoactive-substance-bill