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Chemistry

Inhalant abusers sniff or snort fumes from containers, spray aerosols directly into the nose, stuff inhalant-soaked rags into the mouth, sniff fumes from substances sprayed into a plastic bag, or inhale from balloons filled with nitrous oxide.

Inhaled chemicals travel rapidly from the lungs through the blood to the brain and other organs. Most inhalants act directly on the central nervous system to produce mind-altering effects. When the chemical enters the body, the body becomes starved of oxygen, forcing the heart to beat more rapidly in an attempt to increase blood flow to the brain. The highs last only for a short time, so abusers often inhale repeatedly over several hours, which can cause irreparable brain damage, unconsciousness, coma, and death.

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