Inhalant Misuse

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Inhalants are readily available and inexpensive substances a person can breathe in (inhale) in order to get high. People who use inhalants breathe them in through the mouth (huffing or bagging) or the nose (sniffing or snorting). Most inhalants can be found in the home and include paint thinner, nail polish remover, gasoline, glue, spray paint, deodorant spray, vegetable oil sprays, gas from lighters, and whipped cream dispensers. 

Adolescents and teenagers are most known to misuse inhalants and do so because of the euphoric effects they create. Because many inhalants are common household products, inhalant abuse, commonly known as “huffing,” is often overlooked because adolescents and teenagers have a false sense of safety when experimenting with these familiar household products. They are unaware of the short-term and long-term dangers that huffing can cause.  Long-term use of certain inhalants can lead to asphyxia-related brain damage, progressive liver injury, hearing loss, muscle atrophy, and more. 

 Inhalant use among adolescents has been trending down over the past few years, but it’s still a problem. According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, adolescents (aged 12 to 17) accounted for the largest percentage of inhalant users, 2.7% (683,000) of the U.S. population. In 2023, less than 1% of people aged 12 and older reported using inhalants at least once in the past year. What is alarming is that whippet misuse is on the rise.

What are whippets?

Whippets, or nitrous oxide, are a type of inhalant that gets its name from whipped cream aerosol canisters when people use the gas inside these canisters. The canisters contain little chargers that are filled with nitrous oxide, which propels the whipped cream out of the canisters. People who use whippets inhale the gas from those chargers. Some people inhale the gas directly, others fill a balloon with the nitrous oxide gas and inhale it from the balloon, or they fill a bag with the nitrous oxide and close the bag around their head.  

Nitrous oxide, commonly referred to as laughing gas, has been around since the mid 1800’s in the medical field and used as a pain reliever in dentistry. Today it is commonly used by dentists and physicians for sedation to help people relax during medical and dental procedures. 

Although inhalant use is on the decline overall, whippet misuse is on the rise. According to a 2022 survey from the U.S. government’s Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, 13.9 million Americans over the age of 12, or 4.9% of the U.S. population, have misused nitrous oxide. That’s an increase of over 1 million people from the 2021 survey. In England and Wales, nitrous oxide is the third most-used drug after marijuana and cocaine. It’s also the 13th most-used drug worldwide, according to the Global Drug Survey. 

Whippet crackers

Whippet crackers, small metal cylinders with a screw top used to pierce the nitrous oxide canister and inhale the gas, have become popular tools associated with whippet abuse and have become illegal in many states.  In the spring of 2024, Michigan banned the use of whippets and whippet crackers in hopes of preventing adolescents from abusing nitrous oxide.  

“People are using charging canisters for the sole purpose of getting high,” said SB 58 sponsor Sen. Joseph Bellino, R-Monroe. “These new laws will address the problem by targeting those who are selling these canisters without selling whipping cream or dispensers for a legitimate use — stopping easy access by kids who use this gas like a drug.”

Short and long-term effects of whippets

Whippets and other inhalants have a range of short-term effects on a person’s physical and mental states. These include confusion, disorientation, hallucinations, and distorted perception of time and space. It is crucial to highlight the potential risks associated with whippet use, particularly among adolescents who may engage in risky behaviors while under the influence. 

Frequent or prolonged use of whippets can also have severe long-term health consequences. Whippet abuse can interfere with brain development, affecting cognitive abilities and decision-making skills. These risks are particularly concerning for adolescents, as their brains are still developing and more vulnerable to the negative effects of substances. Long-term use can also lead to neurological damage, muscle atrophy, organ damage such as liver and kidney failure, respiratory problems, and cardiovascular complications. 

What are the signs of inhalant misuse?

• Chemical odors on breath or clothing 

• Paint or other stains on the face, hands, or clothes 

• Hidden empty spray paint bottles, whipped cream cans, 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 

AKUA Mind Body is here for you

Although whippet and inhalant misuse and abuse are not necessarily addictive, they can lead to other addictions and mental health disorders. If you or someone you love is struggling with a mental health illness or substance use and addiction disorder, AKUA Mind and Body can help you work through this. AKUA Mind Body provides an integrative treatment approach with multiple levels of care, from detox and residential to outpatient programs. With several facilities throughout the Sacramento Region, Los Angeles & Orange County Region, and San Diego Region, we aim to provide our clients with a solid foundation for healing and transformation. Gender-specific and Co-ed facilities are available.