Why inhalants are frequently abused by early and pre teens

Long-time users get headaches, nosebleeds, and sometimes lose their sense of smell. Inhalants decrease oxygen to the brain and can cause brain damage. Using an inhalant just one time can lead to life-threatening health problems, and even cause death. Nitrous oxide is called "laughing gas. Nitrous oxide is a colorless, sweet-tasting gas used by doctors and dentists for general anesthesia. It's present in whipping cream cans or bakery supply shops. It's called "laughing gas" because it often brings on a state of giggling and laughter.

Nitrous oxide is abused when it is inhaled for its mind-altering effects. It's often discharged into a balloon and then inhaled. Inhaling the gas may starve the body of oxygen and can result in death. Long-term use can result in nerve damage. Toluene is a commonly abused inhalant found in spray paints.

Toluene is a solvent. It is a common ingredient in many paints, lacquers, glues, inks, and cleaning fluids. It is the cause of many inhalant abuse deaths and injuries. Inhaling can cause headaches, nausea and vomiting. Users can be moody and aggressive or think that they see things that are not there.

Stronger chemicals or repeated inhaling can cause people to pass out. Over time, inhalants can cause serious and permanent damage to vital organs like the brain, kidneys, heart and liver.

Inhalants exit the body mainly through exhaling. Someone who is using inhalants often has breath that smells like chemicals. Inhalants also pass out of the body through urine. It can take as long as two weeks for the body to get rid of all the chemicals.

Last updated: November Inhalant abuse: What parents should know What is inhalant abuse? What are some examples of inhalants? Some of the common terms for inhalant abuse refer to the way or the type of products that are used: Sniffing: directly inhaling the fumes through the nose.

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