Paint
What are inhalants?
Inhalants are substances that people inhale (breathe in) to get high. There are other substances that people might inhale, such as alcohol. But those are not called inhalants, because they can also be used another way. Inhalants are the substances that you can misuse only by inhaling them.
Using inhalants to try to get high, even once, can be very harmful to your brain and body. It can even lead to death.
What are the types of inhalants?Inhalants are often products that are easily bought and can be found in the home or workplace. They contain dangerous substances that have psychoactive (mind-altering) properties when they are inhaled. The four main types of inhalants are:
- Solvents, which are liquids that become gas at room temperature. They include paint thinner, nail polish remover, gasoline, and glue.
- Aerosol sprays, such as spray paint, deodorant spray, and vegetable oil sprays.
- Gases, including gas from lighters, whipped cream dispensers, and laughing gas.
- Nitrites, which are similar to a prescription medicine for chest pain. They are sometimes called "poppers." They are sold in small bottles and may be labeled as "air freshener," "leather cleaner," or "liquid aroma." They are usually not used to alter someone's mood, but to improve their sexual function.
Some of the common slang terms for various inhalants include:
- Gluey
- Huff
- Laughing gas
- Rush
- Snappers
- Whippets/Whippits
People who use inhalants breathe in the fumes through their nose or mouth, usually by "sniffing," "snorting," "bagging," or "huffing." It's called different names depending on the substance and equipment used.
The high that inhalants produce usually lasts just a few minutes, so people often try to make it last by inhaling them again and again over several hours.
Who uses inhalants?Inhalants are mostly used by young kids and teens. They often try inhalants before they try other substances because inhalants are easier to get.
What are the signs that someone is using inhalants?Signs that someone is using inhalants include:
- Chemical odors on breath or clothing
- Paint or other stains on face, hands, or clothes
- Hidden empty spray paint or solvent containers and chemical-soaked rags or clothing
- Red or runny eyes or nose
- Drunk or disoriented appearance
- Slurred speech
- Nausea or loss of appetite
- Inattentiveness, lack of coordination, irritability, and depression
Most inhalants affect your central nervous system and slow down brain activity. Inhalants can cause both short-term and long-term health effects:
- Short-term health effects include:
- Slurred or distorted speech
- Lack of body control
- Euphoria (feeling "high")
- Dizziness
- Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't real)
- Long-term health effects may include:
- Liver and kidney damage
- Loss of coordination
- Spasms in your arms and legs
- Delayed behavioral development
- Brain damage
Using inhalants, even once, could lead to an overdose. This can cause you to have seizures or your heart to stop. It can also be deadly.
Are inhalants addictive?Addiction to inhalants is rare, but it can happen if you use them repeatedly. Stopping them can cause withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, trouble sleeping, and mood changes.
Behavioral therapy may help people who are addicted to inhalants.
Can inhalant misuse be prevented?Kids and teens who use inhalants to get high are more likely to try other drugs and to have a substance use disorder (SUD) later in life. So it's important to try to prevent inhalant abuse. One thing that parents can do is talk to their children about inhalants. They can explain the dangers and give their children tips on how to deal with peer pressure if someone asks them to try inhalants.
NIH: National Institute on Drug Abuse
Felter's Materia Medica on Paint
The (1) dried root and the (2) dried leaves and tops of Atropa Belladonna, Linné (Nat. Ord. Solanaceae). Europe and Central Asia; also... / ...10 per cent) may be used to allay itching in general pruritus, eczema, and urticaria. The tincture, painted upon the feet, controls local bromidrosis. A weak lotion is effectual in general hyperhydros...1
The dried beetles, Cantharis vesicatoria (Linné), De Geer. (Ord. Coleoptera.) Southern Europe. Dose, 1 grain. Common Name: Spanish Fly; Synonym:... / ...cine uvedalia, and Fowler's solution, for this purpose. Others have used the cantharidal collodion, painted upon the scalp about every two weeks, to encourage the growth of hair in alopecia circumscri...1
... stimulant, rubefacient and counter-irritant. By its revulsive action it often relieves local pain. Painted upon chilblains it quickly gives relief. The pure tincture alone, or mixed with glycerin or ......, however, be allowed to come in contact with the tender skin of the scrotum. The tincture has been painted upon the scalp to excite the growth of hair in alopecia. With or without glycerin or mucilag......s required of mustard. It does not blister nor cause strangury when so applied. Either the tincture painted upon the part or the capsicum plaster may give relief to so-called chronic rheumatic pains, ...1
The rhizome and roots of Iris versicolor, Linné (Nat. Ord. Iridaceae). Common in wet places in the United States. Dose, 5 to 20 grains. Common... / ...es neither physiologic nor therapeutic effects. Therapy.External. Specific Medicine Iris has been painted upon goitre with good results, though it is effectual in but few instances, and the type is ...1
...ay be used alone or rubbed up with camphor, chloral hydrate, or phenol in combinations desired, and painted upon painful surfaces or employed to obtund the pain in a carious tooth. In alcoholic or oil......l and superficial neuralgias and of arthritis, simple, rheumatic, or gonorrheal, may be relieved by painting upon the affected surface a combination of hydrated chloral, thymol, and menthol. A 20 per ...1
The rhizome and roots of Sanguinaria canadensis, Linné (Nat. Ord. Papaveraceae), gathered in autumn after the leaves and scape have died to the... / ...ctorant); 15 to 20 grains (emetic; not used). Common Names: Bloodroot, Red Puccoon, Puccoon, Indian Paint, Tetterwort, etc. Principal Constituents.Chelerythrine (forming yellow salts with acids), sa... / ...in debilitated subjects. When due to vicarious menstruation, hemorrhage from the lungs is said to have been controlled by it. It may be used als1
The dried rhizome and roots of Veratrum viride, Aiton (Nat. Ord. Liliaceae). An indigenous plant of swamps, low grounds, and moist meadows. Dose,... / ...lowed to rise from the recumbent position, not even to raise the head to vomit. Therapy.External. Painted upon boils, felons, carbuncles, abscesses, inflamed acne, cellulitis, and other local inflam...1
Physician's Therapeutics Memoranda on Paint
To abort, paint the part with a solution of silver nitrate, 20 to 40 grs. to fl. oz. or apply frequently Phenol Camphor (not to be covered with a bandage) or spirit... / To abort, paint the part with a solution of silver nitrate, 20 to 40 grs. to fl. oz. or apply frequently Phenol Camphor (not to be covered with a bandage) or sp... / ...to re lieve pain. Internally, sulphurated lime to prevent suppuration and appropriate tonic and restorative remedies. When suppuration occurs, treat as an abscess.2
General treatment the... / ...ame as ilr incipient bronchitis. Locally, use frequently as a gargle A ntiseptine or Alkal-antiseptine diluted with four to eight parts of hot water; paint the throat once or twice with tincture ferric chloride containing 5 grs. to the drachm of quinine sulphate; apply suprarenal extract to relieve ...2
References
2) Nelson, Baker & Co., 1904, Physician's Handy Book of Materia Medica and Therapeustics, Detroit, Michigan.