Inhalants are described as
substances that produce chemical vapors that can be inhaled
to induce psychoactive, or mind altering effects. Many household
items contain chemicals used as inhalants. Items such as spray
paints, glue and cleaning supplies can be inhaled causing
an intoxicating effect. Using inhalants to get high is common
among youth due to the availability of the items that are
used.
The effects of inhalants can very but the short term effects
are similar to that of anesthetics, which slow down body function.
When inhaled through nose or mouth and into lungs, inhalants
can cause intoxicating effects. The effects produce usually
last only a few minutes. If user inhale repeated amounts of
chemicals, they can eventually lose consciousness. The term
“sudden sniffing death” is used to refer to users
who directly induce heart failure after sniffing highly concentrated
amounts of chemicals. Death in these cases can occur within
minutes of a session of prolonged use. Death is particularly
associated, but not confined to, the sniffing of butane, propane,
and chemicals in aerosols. High concentrations of inahalants
can also cause death because of the displacing of oxygen in
the lungs and then in the Central Nervous System so that breathing
stops.
- Paint thinner