Inhalants: what are they?
What are inhalants?
Inhalants are a range of products that produce vapours which, when inhaled, may cause the person to feel intoxicated or "high".
Inhalants are depressant drugs. This means that they slow down the activity of the central nervous system and the messages going between the brain and the body. They do not necessarily make a person feel depressed.
Other depressants include alcohol, cannabis, benzodiazepines and heroin.
Other names
Glue, gas, sniff, huff, chroming, poppers.
What do inhalants look like?
Inhalants come in a variety of forms, such as aerosols, liquids or semi-solids. Some of the most common are:
- aerosol spray cans
- chrome-based paint
- gas from lighters or barbeques (butane)
- cleaning fluid
- correction fluid (liquid paper)
- paint or paint thinner
- felt-tipped pens
- glue
- petrol.
In some remote communities in Australia, standard unleaded petrol is being replaced by Opal fuel. Opal fuel does not produce a "high" when sniffed; however, it can still have serious effects on a person’s health.
Inhalants can be divided into four main groups:
- Volatile solvents are liquids or semi-solids, such as glues. They are usually common household and industrial products such as paint thinners and removers, dry-cleaning fluids, degreasers, petrol and correction fluid.
- Aerosols are sprays that contain propellants and solvents and include spray paints, deodorants and hairsprays, insect sprays and vegetable oils.
- Gases include medical anaesthetics and gases used in household or commercial products such as refrigerants and fire extinguishers.
- Nitrites such as amyl, butyl and isobutyl nitrite (together known as alkyl nitrites or poppers) are clear, yellow liquids.
How are they used?
The drug is inhaled through the nose or mouth. It may be sprayed into a plastic bag, poured into a bottle or soaked onto a cloth or sleeve before being inhaled.
Some drugs are also inhaled directly from the container. Sometimes they are sprayed directly into the mouth or nose. This method is very dangerous because it can cause suffocation.
For more information, please click on the Australian Drug Foundation's DrugInfo Clearinghouse web site link below.
Last Reviewed: 24 February 2012
- Australian Drug Foundation. Inhalant facts. Last updated 24 February 2012. http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/drug-facts/inhalants (accessed Jan 2013).
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Related Topics
Inhalants and solvent abuse
Related Links
Australian Drug Foundation's DrugInfo 
