If you are not yet familiar with huffing, then continue reading this article until the end. It is an extremely dangerous practice that many people have been practicing for years. Let’s focus your attention on several interesting facts about huffing and its dangers.
What Is Huffing?
Huffing can be defined as breathing in chemicals or fumes in order to experience getting high. It is a kind of substance abuse practiced by sniffing and inhaling through the nose or mouth. As a result, one may experience hallucinations or feelings of euphoria. However, this is dangerous, as it may cause dizziness, disorientation, loss of consciousness, and even death.
The term huffing was coined from the act of inhaling a cleaning product through a bag or a rag. However, nowadays, it has expanded to include inhalation of various chemicals, such as gasoline, paint spray, computer keyboard cleaner, air freshener, or even cement, directly through the nose or mouth.
In addition to huffing, there are many other ways of inhaling these substances. They are as follows:
Spraying – shaking the can of spray and spraying it directly into the mouth or nose
Sniffing – inhaling the substance through the nose or mouth directly from the container
Bagging – pouring the substance into a bag and inhaling it through the opening
Burning – lighting substances and inhaling the fumes
What Do Individuals Huff?
Inhalant abusers can huff any substances under these categories:
– Gases like laughing gas (nitrogen oxide)
– Volatile liquids like glue, paint thinner, or correction fluid
– Solvents like motor vehicle exhaust or cigarette lighter fluid
– Fuels (gasoline, kerosene, lighter fluid)
– Compressed air
– Sprays like hair spray
It is very common among young kids and teens, especially those who want to escape reality. The reason why many people get involved in huffing is that it is easy to get. You can easily find it in your home or garage, as most of it is legal to purchase. Some other common household items that people use as inhalants include:
- nail polish remover
- shoe polish
- deodorant
- spray paint
- cooking spray
- rubber cement
- butane fluid
- markers
- gasoline
What Are the Side Effects of Huffing
Huffing is extremely dangerous substance abuse, which, when practiced long enough, can lead to serious consequences. If someone gets addicted to huffing, they may experience increased heart rate and blood flow, dizziness, disorientation, euphoria, and loss of consciousness.
Overdose and death may occur due to the inhalation of highly toxic fumes, as the poisonous fumes may damage the nerve cells and vital internal organs. Moreover, huffing can cause one to experience hallucinations, coma, and loss of consciousness, which may even lead to death.
The side effects of huffing depend on the kind of substance that one is huffing. It is important for you to know the hazards of huffing and its effects on your body.
- Gas or aerosol sprays causes symptoms like:
– Dizziness
– Nausea
– Lightheadedness
– Loss of consciousness
- Solvents, aerosols, and gases can cause side effects like:
– Loss of appetite
– Sleepiness
– Irritability
– Drowsiness
– Hallucinations
- Gases like nitrous oxide and volatile liquids like paint thinner can cause the following side effects:
– Disorientation
– Confusion
– Shortness of breath
– Drowsiness
– Nausea
– Twitching
- Nonflammable gases like kerosene and propane can lead to:
– Dizziness
– Loss of Consciousness
– Death
- Compressed gasses like butane can lead to symptoms like:
– Dizziness
– Nausea
– Decreased heart function
Inhaling or sniffing any of the substances above can cause the following severe complications:
– Damage to the heart, liver, and kidneys
– Cerebral hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain)
– Seizures
– Death
In addition to the type of the chemical being huffed, the side effects also vary depending on the duration and frequency of huffing, your personal health and risk factors, and other important personal variables.
What Are the Dangers of Huffing
- Brain Damage
Some of the chemicals being inhaled can cause brain damage, resulting in memory loss. This makes it hard for the person to function normally.
- Death
Huffing is associated with numerous health issues and has been linked to many deaths, including death by suffocation. The American Association of Poison Control Centers has reported that more than three hundred children have died due to huffing and sniffing in the last ten years.
- Binge Abuse
Most of the inhalants are not addictive and do not cause binging. However, some of them, like butane and propane, can lead to addiction. This can lead to the development of physical and psychological dependence on inhalants and chemicals.
- Disordering of the Nervous System
Huffing can cause the impairment of the nervous system, leading to a constant inability to focus.
- Cardiovascular Problems
Huffing can cause irregular heartbeat and chest pain that can lead to death.
- Physical Injury
Sometimes people feel the urge to leap from a high place and try to fly like a bird. This is because of the influence of the chemicals in their body. Many of them get injured badly, and some of them even die.
- Social Problems
People with a huffing addiction usually start having issues with family and friends. This can lead to the development of antisocial behaviors.
- Tolerance, Dependence, and Withdrawal
Many of the inhalants are not addictive, but some of them can lead to the development of tolerance and physical dependence on them. When the person stops using them, they may experience withdrawal symptoms.
- Liver Damage
Some of the inhalants, like paint thinner and lacquer thinner, can damage the liver. This can lead to scarring and ultimately to the development of cirrhosis. This is a serious condition and may develop into liver cancer.
- Depression
Huffing leads to depression and stress, which can further lead to drug addiction. The brain stops producing serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that helps in maintaining a stable mood. Inhaling fumes can lead to the depletion of serotonin, which may result in depression and suicidal tendencies.
Conclusion
Huffing is a common form of substance abuse in many countries. As we know now, huffing is dangerous and can lead to fatal injuries. It can cause brain damage, scarring of the liver and lungs, and many other problems.
Sources:
https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Inhalants-2020_1.pdf
