Inhalant Effects

People abuse inhalants for a cheap and easy way to get high. The legality of the substances may lead some people to believe they’re less risky than other substances of abuse. But inhalants can cause serious health problems.

Risks of specific chemicals in inhalants include:

All inhalants can shock the body and make the heart stop beating. Inhalant abuse is also associated with other long-term risks.

Short-Term Effects of Inhalants

Ways to use inhalants include sniffing, snorting, bagging or huffing. Within seconds of using an inhalant, people feel excitement. They may be unable to stop smiling or laughing. The substances also disrupt thinking. Some people experience hallucinations and delusions.

They also feel side effects similar to those of alcohol, such as slurred speech, coordination loss and dizziness.

Nitrites, a type of inhalant used primarily to enhance sexual pleasure, cause unique side effects. These drugs can make people feel hot and flushed.

Some research suggests nitrites weaken the immune system. People who use nitrites are also more likely to practice unsafe sex and contract infectious diseases such as HIV, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Inhalant Overdose

A single use of an inhalant can cause death. The drugs deprive the body of oxygen, forcing the heart to beat faster. This leads to rapid and irregular heartbeat, increasing the risk of heart failure. Abrupt heart failure caused by inhalant use is referred to as sudden sniffing death syndrome.

Signs of an inhalant overdose include chest pain, dysphoria, labored breathing or lack of response to stimuli. Individuals experiencing an inhalant overdose should call 911 immediately.

People who abuse inhalants are also more likely to die from accidental injuries. The substances cannot be consumed safely.

Long-Term Effects of Inhalants

In addition to serious short-term risks, inhalants can cause long-term health problems. An inhalant overdose can cause permanent damage to the brain, heart and other organs. Repeated use also increases the risk of chronic health problems.

The drugs can cause addiction, a brain disease characterized by compulsive drug-seeking behavior despite health and social consequences. People addicted to inhalants don’t recognize the damage they’re doing when they use the substances.

Regular inhalant use destroys nerves in the brain. This causes problems with cognition, movement, vision and hearing. Severe damage can lead to dementia. The substances also cause irreversible damage to other organs, according to the Center for Substance Abuse Research.

Inhalants cause short-term pleasurable effects followed by intense discomfort. A single use of an inhalant can cause a life-threatening overdose, and repeated use can cause addiction and long-term health problems that may be permanent.

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