The Physical Effects of Huffing

Huffing is one of the most popular ways that inhalants are abused by those with chemical dependencies. After dipping or soaking a rag into household cleaners or industrial chemicals, users hold it over their nose and mouth to inhale the fumes in order to achieve a high. When huffed, household chemicals like paint, solvents, glues, or gasoline turn lethal, causing incredibly damage to the body and brain.

Short Term Physical Effects of Huffing

Huffing causes harsh chemicals to become rapidly absorbed by the bloodstream, acting as a neurotoxin within the brain and causing nerve damage. Because of the chemical structure of most inhalants, huffing can prevent protective structural compounds from adequately forming in the body’s cells. Depending on the chemical ingested, the lungs can also collapse as body temperatures reach below-freezing temperatures. One serious—and fatal—short term physical effect of huffing is known as Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome, where inhalation of chemicals creates irregular heartbeat and near-instant cardiac arrest.

Beyond fatalities, other short term physical effects of huffing can be equally dangerous. Temporary physical effects include headaches, weak muscles, sharp abdominal pain, confusion and nausea. The senses become affected by huffing as well, leading to hearing loss, vision problems, and even loss of consciousness. The rest of the body becomes affected, with numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, limb spasms, mobility problems, and exhaustion.

Long Term Physical Effects of “Huffing”

Over time, the physical effects of huffing take a long term toll. Inhalant dependent individuals can experience severe weight loss and muscle atrophy or weakness. Vital organs become some of the hardest-hit parts of the body, as huffing causes irreparable damage to the heart, kidneys, lungs and liver. Huffing leads to severe brain damage, resulting in lower cognitive ability, memory loss, slurred speech, and even personality changes. As time and tolerance build, huffing can cause dependency, including withdrawal symptoms when use declines or stops, leading to high body temperatures, racing heartbeat, tremors, vomiting or even grand mal seizures.

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