The use of whippets, and other inhalants, is on the rise. This form of drug abuse involves huffing gas or inhaling fumes to experience an intoxicating effect. Inhalant abuse is a growing problem that has gained popularity among young adults due to it being glamorized by mainstream media, musicians, as well as the festival and party scene.
What are Inhalants?
Inhalants are drugs or substances that are inhaled or huffed to create an intoxicating effect or get you “high”. They can produce a range of effects from minor intoxication to hallucinations and euphoria.
Here are some of the types of inhalant drugs that are commonly abused:
- Nitrous Oxide: Commonly known as whippets, or laughing gas and used for dental procedures, this is a gas also called NOS, nitro, or nitrous. Using a whipped cream dispenser, cracker, tank, or balloons, users fill their lungs with nitrous oxide gas to get high.
- Poppers: Originally known for use during intimacy but recently gaining popularity in the festival scene, poppers are a group of chemicals including amyl nitrite that can be sniffed or inhaled to produce a rapid sensation of euphoria and muscle relaxation.
- Volatile Solvents: Although less common nowadays due to a history of abuse, volatile solvents are liquids such as glue (adhesives), cleaners (paint thinner), and paint that easily vaporize into a gas. These fumes are then inhaled or “huffed” to achieve an intoxicating effect.
- Aerosol Products: Widely available in most households, aerosol products such as cooking and vegetable oil sprays, hair spray, body spray, and cleaning products can contain propellants that may be sprayed into a cloth, paper, or plastic bag and huffed or inhaled to reach a euphoric and relaxed state.
- Dust Off: Typically meant for the sole purpose of cleaning keyboards and other computer parts, air duster contains a chemical called difluoroethane that can be inhaled directly into the lungs and produces a fast and intense high.
While different in terms of the types of chemicals and delivery method, all inhalants operate similarly and create similar effects in the body and brain. The effects of using nitrous oxide gas and other inhalants for recreational purposes can vary depending on the dose and your tolerance level; some effects are more common than others. However, inhalants in all forms can be quite detrimental to the body and brain when used inappropriately, and should not be used for recreational purposes.
What are the side effects of using inhalants?
Inhalants produce distinctive effects when used, characterized by a quick onset of euphoria, light-headedness, and a sense of detachment from reality. The immediate effect occurs because inhalants impair your central nervous system as a depressant, temporarily impairing brain function and altering the way that you perceive the world.
You can often experience a floating sensation or feeling disconnected from your surroundings, which can be both euphoric and disorienting. The effects that are produced are typically short-lived, lasting only a few minutes to an hour, as the chemicals are rapidly metabolized and eliminated from your body.
Despite its brief duration, the intensity of the effects can lead you to repeatedly seek out the experience, contributing to frequent and risky use. Over time, if use continues, you can build a tolerance to the substance and ultimately develop a mental or social dependence on it.
Why are inhalants so popular at music festivals?
Inhalants have gained popularity at music festivals due to their immediate and intense effects, which can enhance the sensory experience of the event. At festivals, the environment is typically vibrant and immersive, with loud music, bright lights, and large crowds contributing to an atmosphere that amplifies the appeal of substances that promise a quick and euphoric high.
Inhalants offer a fast-acting and relatively discreet way to achieve a sense of euphoria or altered perception, which can complement the festival’s sensory overload and energetic atmosphere. The social nature of festivals can foster an environment where substance use is normalized or even encouraged.
Many festivalgoers seek out new experiences and may be drawn to inhalants due to peer influence or a desire to fit in with others using them. The ease of access and relatively low cost of inhalants compared to other substances also contribute to their popularity.
This problematic trend poses significant risks, as the use of inhalants in such high-energy and often uncontrolled settings increases the likelihood of dangerous behaviors and health consequences. The temporary pleasure of the high can overshadow the potential for immediate and long-term harm, making it a troubling choice in the festival environment.
Why are inhalants popular with young people?
Inhalants are popular among young people for several reasons, primarily centered around their accessibility, immediate effects, social influences, and the fact that they are undetectable. One key factor is their widespread availability and low cost. Many inhalants are common household products, such as glue, paint thinners, and nitrous oxide, which can be easily obtained at a grocery store, without a prescription or illegal purchase.
This easy access makes inhalants an attractive option for young people seeking a quick and inexpensive way to experience a high. Additionally, inhalants produce rapid and intense effects, including euphoria, light-headedness, and altered perceptions, which can be appealing to adolescents looking to try something new. The immediate nature of the high fits well with the impulsive tendencies often associated with adolescence.
Social factors also play a significant role as well. Peer pressure and the desire to fit in can lead young people to experiment with inhalants, especially if they observe the use of the drug among friends or in social circles. Festivals, parties, and other social gatherings can further normalize and encourage the use of these substances.
Are inhalants legal?
In many places, inhalants are legal when used for their intended purposes, such as industrial solvents or medical gases. However, their misuse as recreational drugs is not typically regulated in the same way as controlled substances like alcohol, narcotics, and other drugs.
The challenge with regulating inhalants lies in their widespread availability and the fact that many are common household items. For example, substances like nitrous oxide, often found in whipped cream dispensers, are legal for legitimate uses but can be abused for their psychoactive effects. While some countries have implemented specific laws targeting the abuse of inhalants, such as restricting sales or labeling products to deter misuse, enforcement is difficult.
Are Inhalants Addictive?
Inhalants are substances that produce mind-altering effects when breathed in, often through sniffing or inhaling fumes. While the addictive potential of inhalants may not be as widely recognized as that of other substances like alcohol or opioids, they can still lead to substance use disorder and developing dependency.
Inhalants can produce a rapid and intense high due to their quick absorption into the bloodstream through the lungs. This can lead some individuals to repeatedly seek out the quick, euphoric effects, which contribute to the development of addiction and inhalant use disorder over time.
How Do People Get Inhalants?
Most inhalants are easy to get, due in part to their legitimate uses that they often carry with them. This can make it difficult to restrict their availability as it is often hard to distinguish what the product is being purchased for.
People obtain inhalants from a variety of everyday products that contain substances capable of producing intoxicating effects when inhaled. Common sources include household items such as glue, aerosol sprays such as spray paint or hair spray, cleaning fluids like gasoline or lighter fluid, nitrous oxide often referred to as whippets or NOS, and certain medical gases such as ether or chloroform.
These substances are typically legal to purchase and are readily available in stores, making them easily accessible to anyone seeking to misuse them for their psychoactive effects. However, it’s important to note that using these products for anything other than their intended purposes can have serious health consequences.
What Are the Risks of Using Inhalants?
Using inhalants can pose serious risks to your physical and mental health. These substances can cause immediate and long-term damage to the brain, heart, lungs, and other vital organs.
Short Term Risks
- Dizziness
- Fainting and passing out
- Nausea or vomiting
- Impaired coordination leading to accidents or injuries
In some cases, these accidents can be severe and can lead to death in extreme cases. Additionally, sudden sniffing death syndrome is a serious short-term risk that may cause sudden cardiac arrest or heart failure when misusing inhalants.
Long Term Risks
- Neurological disorders
- Liver and kidney damage
- Weakened immune system
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Mental health disorders
These longer-term consequences can be treated and resolved in some cases if the use of the substance is ceased, but in many cases, the damage done to the body over time will prove to be permanent.
Can I seek treatment for inhalant use?
If you or someone you know is struggling with inhalant abuse, seeking help from a healthcare professional or addiction specialist will help prevent further harm and can be an important first step in addressing underlying addiction issues that may be present.
New Life House, a well-known sober living community located in Los Angeles, CA, has been a beacon of hope for individuals grappling with substance abuse for decades, including the misuse of inhalants of all varieties.
In our sobriety program, you will receive guidance from our experienced staff, build important life skills, and form meaningful connections with peers who understand your struggles firsthand. Our robust recovery model includes your family in the healing process, opportunities to continue school through educational programming, and you will have access to mental health professionals with outpatient mental health services and addiction treatment.
Don’t wait to start your journey in sobriety, contact us today to learn more about our sober living homes in Los Angeles and how we help you and your family recover from the use of whippets or other inhalants.
Last Updated on September 12, 2024
