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What are the Different Huffing Effects?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Huffing, a form of drug use in which people consume inhalants for the purpose of getting high, has a number of effects. Short term huffing effects include euphoria, hallucinations, impairment of judgment, loss of inhibitions, and a state which is often compared to drunkenness. Long term effects can include serious problems, such as damage to the organs and nervous system. This form of drug use can also be fatal.

Huffers tend to be younger, with people between the ages of 12 and 18 being most at risk of huffing behavior. These individuals lack legal access to substances like alcohol, which can lead them to seek out household substances for a high. These substances include aerosols, gases, solvents, and nitrites, all of which have different effects. Since drugs used for huffing are usually not intended for consumption, recreational or otherwise, they can be extremely dangerous to human health.

The chemicals found in some types of aerosol cans are deliberately inhaled when huffing.
The chemicals found in some types of aerosol cans are deliberately inhaled when huffing.

Short term huffing effects are the reason people engage in huffing, but not all of the short term effects contribute to a high. People can develop nausea, headaches, vomiting, and delirium. In some cases, huffing leads people to aspirate vomit, which can cause pneumonia or even death. Huffing is also linked with cardiac arrest and hypoxia, both of which lead to death. In addition, people can be more prone to falls and other injuries while they are under the influence, and they can make unwise decisions such as deciding to drive while they are intoxicated.

Huffing can lead to dangerous health effects, including brain damage and death.
Huffing can lead to dangerous health effects, including brain damage and death.

Long term huffing effects include permanent damage to the liver and kidneys, which struggle to process the toxins inhaled during huffing sessions, along with damage to the brain and nervous system. Chronic huffers can experience memory impairment, slurred speech, difficulty concentrating, loss of sense of smell, and loss of sensation. Huffing effects can also include things like muscle weakness, loss of sensation in the extremities, or nerve pain caused by nerve signals which become confused as a result of nerve damage.

Some people have been known to inhale glue to get high.
Some people have been known to inhale glue to get high.

Signs that someone is engaging in this form of substance abuse include runny or red eyes, a drunken appearance, confusion, changes in personality, difficulty concentrating, and erratic behavior. If people recognize huffing effects in friends or family members, they should encourage them to seek treatment. Treatment for a huffing addiction is available at inpatient and outpatient facilities, and includes a wide variety of approaches which can include counseling in group and solo sessions as well as encouragement to seek out less harmful methods of recreation.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

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    • The chemicals found in some types of aerosol cans are deliberately inhaled when huffing.
      By: difught
      The chemicals found in some types of aerosol cans are deliberately inhaled when huffing.
    • Huffing can lead to dangerous health effects, including brain damage and death.
      By: EJ White
      Huffing can lead to dangerous health effects, including brain damage and death.
    • Some people have been known to inhale glue to get high.
      By: Neiromobile
      Some people have been known to inhale glue to get high.