Social media trends are fueling a dangerous surge in inhalant use among American teenagers, involving common household and commercial products. An emergency physician details the risks associated with breathing in fumes from items like glue, aerosols, and nitrous oxide.
What Are Inhalants and What Substances Are Used?
Inhalants are chemicals that produce mind-altering effects when their fumes are inhaled. These substances are often found in everyday items within homes, garages, and stores. Teenagers may use them to achieve a brief high, which can include feelings of euphoria or hallucinations.
Commonly misused products include:
- Glue and shoe polish
- Paint thinners and aerosol sprays
- Gasoline
- Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)
While nitrous oxide has legitimate medical uses (such as for pain control in dentistry or operating rooms), its recreational use is increasingly promoted online.
Study Findings on Adolescent Use in the US
A new analysis of national survey data from 2021 to 2023, involving over 33,700 adolescents, revealed several key findings:
- Prevalence: 2.2% of adolescents reported using inhalants in the past year, equating to over half a million teenagers nationally.
- Risk Group: Younger adolescents (ages 12 to 13) showed higher rates of use compared to those aged 14 to 17.
- Co-occurring Risks: There were strong links between inhalant misuse and other risky behaviors, such as tobacco use, fighting, or stealing.
- Gender Differences: Females had substantially higher odds of developing inhalant use disorder.
Health Risks: Short-Term and Long-Term Dangers
Dr. Leana Wen outlined severe health consequences associated with inhalant misuse:
Short-Term Effects:
- Dizziness, slurred speech, and poor coordination.
- Nausea and impaired judgment.
- Potential for hallucinations or loss of consciousness.
Long-Term Risks:
- Damage to the brain, nerves, liver, kidneys, and heart. Some effects can be irreversible, including neurological injury and hearing loss.
- Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome: A fatal heart rhythm disturbance that can occur even after a single episode of use, particularly with substances like butane and propane.
The Specific Danger of Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is often perceived as safer due to its medical applications, but recreational use carries significant risks. Beyond impairing judgment and coordination, inhaling directly from pressurized canisters can cause frostbite. Chronic exposure can interfere with Vitamin B12, which is vital for nerve function, and heavy use has been linked to permanent neurological damage.
