Akron Children's Logo
Skip to main content
Close Tools Menu Icon

Operator:

330-543-1000

Questions or Referrals:
ASK CHILDREN‘S

Close Phone Menu Icon
Home > Kidshealth

For Teens

Inhalants

Print Page

What They Are:

Inhalants are things that are breathed in 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).

Sometimes Called:

whippets, poppers, snappers, rush, bolt, bullet

How They're Used:

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:

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.

Using an inhalant just one time can lead to life-threatening health problems, and even cause death.

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2018

Lea este articulo en Español

Back to top of page

By using this site, you consent to our use of cookies. To learn more, read our privacy policy.