Since the chemicals involved in inhalant use are diverse, it is difficult to make generalizations about the effects of inhalant use on the user. Inhalants are introduced to the body through sniffing the substance. The chemicals may cause immediate death when they replace oxygen in the lungs and central nervous system or by causing irregular heart rhythms. Inhalants may do irreversible damage to the neurological functioning of the user. This may effect the nerves in the body as well as reducing the size of the brain.
Users frequently report deteriorated cognitive and memory functioning and behavioral changes.
Use can also lead to muscle weakness, liver failure, anemia, and hepatitis. Arizona Statistics Inhalant use remained steady or increased slightly from 1991-1995 for Arizona youths. Sixth graders and high school seniors in 1995 reported similar rates of trying inhalants at 15.6 and 14.8 percent.