Inhalants
Inhalants (say: in-hay-luntz) are substances that are sniffed or huffed to give the user an immediate rush, or high. They include glues, paint thinners, dry cleaning fluids, gasoline, felt-tip marker fluid, hair spray, deodorants, spray paint, and whipped cream dispensers (whippets).
Inhalants are sometimes called as:
- Whippets
- Poppers
- Snappers
- Rush
- Bolt
- Bullet
These are inhaled directly from the container (called sniffing or snorting), from a plastic bag (called bagging), or by holding an Inhalant-soaked rag in the mouth (called huffing).
What They Do to You:
Inhalants produce a quick feeling of being drunk - followed by sleepiness, staggering, dizziness, and confusion. Long-time users get headaches, nosebleeds, and sometimes lose their sense of smell. Inhalants decrease oxygen to the brain and can cause brain damage. Although inhalants can be found around the house, they're so bad for you that using them, even one time, can kill you.
Prevention
Parents can keep their teens away from inhalants by talking to them and letting them know the dangers associated with inhalants. Most young users don’t realize how dangerous inhalants can be. Inhalants are widely available and inexpensive, and parents should be careful about how they store common household products.
Credit: National Institute of Health.