How are inhalants used?
Inhalants can be breathed in through the nose or the mouth in a variety of ways, such as: • “Sniffing” or “snorting” fumes from containers; • Spraying aerosols directly into the nose or mouth; • “Bagging”-sniffing or inhaling fumes from substances sprayed or deposited inside a plastic or paper bag; • “Huffing” from an inhalant-soaked rag stuffed in the mouth; and • Inhaling from balloons filled with nitrous oxide. Inhaled chemicals are rapidly absorbed through the lungs into the bloodstream and quickly distributed to the brain and other organs. Within seconds of inhalation, the user experiences intoxication along with other effects similar to those produced by alcohol. Alcohol-like effects may include slurred speech, an inability to coordinate movements, euphoria, and dizziness. In addition, users may experience lightheadedness, hallucinations, and delusions. Because intoxication lasts only a few minutes, abusers frequently seek to prolong the high by continuing to inhale repeatedly ov
