
Inhalant use disorder, also known as inhalant abuse, is a type of substance use disorder where people inhale common household products to experience a mind-altering event or a high. One such commonly abused household product is nail polish remover, which contains acetone, a chemical that can cause throat and lung irritation and tightening of the chest when inhaled in high concentrations. In this paragraph, we will explore the dangers and effects of inhaling nail polish remover and how it can lead to a high.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can nail polish remover make you high? | Yes, nail polish remover is often used as an inhalant to get high. |
| What is nail polish remover? | Nail polish remover contains acetone, which is a solvent. |
| How does it make you high? | Inhaling nail polish remover can cause intoxication and effects similar to alcohol, including slurred speech, dizziness, confusion, nausea, and vomiting. |
| Risks | Inhalant use can lead to cardiac arrest, suffocation, and Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome. Long-term abuse can cause weight loss, muscle weakness, disorientation, and depression. |
| Why do people use it? | Nail polish remover is easily accessible and cheaper than other drugs. |
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What You'll Learn

Nail polish remover is an inhalant
Inhalants are vaporous substances that are commonly inhaled to experience a mind-altering event or a "high". Nail polish remover is one such common household product that is used as an inhalant. It contains acetone, which when inhaled, can be absorbed into the body.
Breathing high levels of acetone can irritate the throat and lungs and cause chest tightness. Inhalation of acetone can also lead to nausea, vomiting, and inflammation of the mouth. Exposure of the eyes to acetone vapours can lead to irritation or even eye damage. In severe cases, there may be swelling of the brain, unconsciousness, low body temperature, slowed breathing, seizures, coma, and sudden cardiac death.
Nail polish remover is a popular inhalant among teenagers as it is cheap and easily accessible. The high from huffing nail polish remover is short, making teens less likely to be caught by parents. However, it can lead to compulsive use and dependence, with long-term abuse causing weight loss, muscle weakness, disorientation, lack of coordination, irritability, and depression.
If you or someone you know is struggling with inhalant use disorder, it is important to seek help. Inhalant use disorder is a treatable type of substance use disorder, and healthcare providers can offer support and guidance on the road to recovery.
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Inhalants cause a mind-altering high
Inhalants are vaporous substances that are commonly inhaled to experience a mind-altering high. Many common household products can be used as inhalants, including nail polish remover, glues, lighter fluid, hair sprays, and cleaning supplies. Inhalants are particularly attractive to young teens looking to get high because they are cheap, easily accessible, and the high is short, making it less likely for teens to get caught by their parents.
The use of inhalants is extremely dangerous and can lead to serious health risks, including cardiac arrest, suffocation, and even death. Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome is a risk for inhalant users and is the most common cause of death related to inhalant use. Inhalants can also cause seizures, comas, and sudden cardiac death, even for first-time users. The replacement of oxygen in the lungs with toxic fumes from inhalants can cause death by asphyxiation.
When nail polish remover, which contains acetone, is inhaled, it can cause throat and lung irritation and tightening of the chest. Ingesting acetone can lead to nausea, vomiting, and inflammation of the mouth. If acetone gets into the eyes, it can cause irritation or damage, and long-term exposure can lead to permanent damage. When absorbed into the body, acetone can cause headaches, movement problems, tiredness, slurred speech, nausea, vomiting, and fitting. In severe cases, there may be swelling of the brain, unconsciousness, low body temperature, and slowed breathing.
Long-term inhalant abuse can lead to compulsive use and mild withdrawal syndrome, with symptoms including weight loss, muscle weakness, disorientation, inattentiveness, lack of coordination, irritability, and depression. Inhalant use disorder is a type of substance use disorder, and like other substance use disorders, it is treatable. If you or someone you know is struggling with inhalant use, it is important to seek help from a healthcare provider.
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Inhalant use can lead to dependence
Inhalants are vaporous substances that are commonly inhaled to experience a mind-altering event or "high". Many common household items such as nail polish remover, glue, lighter fluid, hair sprays, and cleaning supplies can be used as inhalants. Inhalant use disorder (inhalant abuse) is a type of substance use disorder. People who use inhalants inhale common household or workplace products to get high.
Inhalant abuse and dependence criteria parallel the generic substance abuse and dependence diagnostic criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV; APA, 2000). Dependence is the physiological adaptation of the body to a substance, wherein the body becomes so used to the drug that when the individual cuts back on their use or quits, withdrawal symptoms emerge. While relatively uncommon, use of inhalants can lead to addiction dependence, and withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms may occur after using inhalants for as little as 3 months and usually last for 2 to 5 days.
Inhalant use may lead to inhalant abuse or dependence in less than 10 percent to nearly 50 percent of cases, depending on the characteristics of the population studied. Adolescents who initiate inhalant use before age 15 are five to six times more likely to be diagnosed with inhalant dependence in the year prior to the survey.
Inhalant use is extremely dangerous and can cause cardiac arrest, seizures, coma, and even sudden cardiac death—even for first-time users. The immediate side effects of inhalants usually only last several minutes, leading some people to continue using over several hours to maintain a high. However, successive inhalations can lead to loss of consciousness and even death.
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Inhalants can cause serious health issues
Inhalants are substances that produce chemical vapours that can be inhaled to induce mind-altering effects. They are often common household items like nail polish remover, glue, hair spray, and cleaning supplies. While these products may be convenient and easy to access, they can cause severe health issues and even lead to death.
The use of inhalants can result in both short-term and long-term health consequences. Short-term side effects include impaired judgment, nausea, vomiting, confusion, delirium, dizziness, drowsiness, slurred speech, lethargy, slower reflexes, and muscle weakness. The highly concentrated chemicals in solvents or aerosol sprays can also have more severe and immediate impacts, such as irregular and rapid heart rhythms, which can lead to fatal cardiac arrest within minutes of use.
Additionally, the displacement of oxygen in the lungs by toxic fumes can cause death by asphyxiation. This condition is known as hypoxia, where the body's tissues, including vital organs, do not receive enough oxygen. Inhalant use can also lead to death by suffocation or choking on one's own vomit. Even a single use of an inhalant can result in "Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome", especially with certain chemicals like propane, butane, and aerosols.
Chronic exposure to inhalants can cause serious damage to vital organs, including the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys. Prolonged or repeated use may lead to irreversible health issues. Inhalant use during pregnancy is associated with adverse effects on the developing baby, including low birth weight, cleft palate, hearing loss, slow growth, decreased muscle tone, and developmental delays.
Inhalants are particularly dangerous because they can lead to addiction and tolerance, causing users to continuously increase their intake. This can result in significant distress, impairment, and a problematic pattern of intoxication. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the severe health risks associated with inhalant use and to seek help from healthcare providers if needed.
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Acetone is a key ingredient in nail polish remover
Inhalant use is a popular method for people, especially teenagers, to get high. Inhalants are vaporous substances that are commonly inhaled to experience a mind-altering event or "high". Many common household items such as nail polish remover, glues, lighter fluid, hair sprays, and cleaning supplies contain chemicals that can be inhaled to get high.
Nail polish remover is one such commonly misused household product. It contains acetone, which is a key ingredient in nail polish removers. Acetone is a manufactured chemical produced in large quantities to be used in solvents for paints, plastics, adhesives, nail polish, and varnish removers. It is also used to make other chemicals, artificial leather, rubber products, and resins.
Acetone is a harmful chemical that can cause throat and lung irritation and tightening of the chest when inhaled. It can also cause nausea, vomiting, and inflammation of the mouth when ingested. Exposure to eyes can lead to irritation or eye damage, and long-term exposure may even cause permanent damage. When breathed in or ingested, acetone can be absorbed into the body, leading to headaches, movement problems, tiredness, slurred speech, nausea, vomiting, and fitting. In severe cases, it can cause swelling of the brain, unconsciousness, low body temperature, and slowed breathing.
The use of nail polish remover and other acetone-containing products as inhalants can be extremely dangerous and lead to serious health issues. It is important to understand the risks associated with the misuse of these products and to seek help if someone is struggling with substance use disorder.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, inhaling nail polish remover can make you high. However, it is extremely dangerous and can cause seizures, coma, cardiac arrest, and even sudden cardiac death.
Some of the signs that someone is high off nail polish remover include slurred speech, an inability to coordinate movements, dizziness, confusion, delirium, nausea, and vomiting.
If you know someone who is abusing nail polish remover, it is important to gently suggest that they seek professional help. Inhalant use disorder is a type of substance use disorder that can turn someone's life upside down.











































