Inhalants are breathable chemicals that produce mind-altering effects. Although more than 1,000 common household products can be misused as inhalants, many people are unaware of the dangers of these drugs because the products are not intended for such use. However, any use of inhalants ‚ even one time ‚ is extremely dangerous and can result in a stroke or death as the user's body is literally starved of oxygen, leading to unconsciousness followed by death.
Inhalant use can cause seizures, nosebleeds, nausea, decreased heart rate, decreased respiratory rate, headaches, abdominal pain and slurred speech. Long-term problems associated with inhalant use include sores on the nose and mouth; bone marrow, lung, liver or kidney damage; hearing loss; and impaired immune system functioning. Adhesives, household cleaning products and paint products are common sources of chemicals that are used as inhalants.