Inhalants
Volatile solvents, aerosols, gases, and alkyl nitrites (poppers). The most overlooked substance class in the field.
Latest reporting
The Treatment System Never Learned to Ask About Poppers
Inhalants are the most neglected substance class in addiction care, and poppers — still tangled in a debunked 1980s AIDS myth RFK Jr. just revived — show exactly what that neglect costs.
Nitrous Oxide Deaths Rose Nearly 600% While Regulators Treated Galaxy Gas Like a Whipped-Cream Ingredient
A JAMA Network Open study of CDC data found US nitrous oxide deaths rose from 23 to 156 a year between 2010-2023. Researchers tie the spike to culinary-labeled brands like Galaxy Gas exploiting a regulatory gap.
Whippets Are Still Legal Everywhere, and the Death Toll Just Went Up 578%
Nitrous oxide deaths rose from 23 to 156 a year between 2010 and 2023 — a 578% increase — while federal law still treats whippets as a 'culinary' product. A Missouri jury just put a number on what that gap costs.
Through eight lenses
Science
Solvents act as NMDA antagonists + GABA modulators; nitrites as smooth-muscle relaxants via NO; aerosols variable.
Nitrous Oxide Deaths Rose Nearly 600% While Regulators Treated Galaxy Gas Like a Whipped-Cream Ingredient
Sep 13A Flavored Canister Is Killing More People Every Year, and the Law Is Only Now Catching Up
Aug 17Substance Spotlight: Inhalants Are the Overdose Crisis Nobody Is Watching, and It's Getting Younger
Jul 28
Biology
Sudden sniffing death syndrome (cardiac sensitization to catecholamines), hypoxia, leukoencephalopathy (toluene), hepatorenal toxicity.
Psychology
Typically first-used age 9–13, often precedes other substance use; associated with ACEs.
Nobody Told Claudia Dimit's Son That a Can of Computer Duster Could Kill Him. The Label Still Doesn't.
Aug 27She Died From a Can of Computer Cleaner. Arizona's Fix Is a Felony Charge — for the Next Buyer, Not the Can.
Jul 8Kids Huff Dust-Off From the Hardware Store. The Federal Government Is Only Now Getting Around to a Ban.
Jun 28
Policy
Mostly not controlled (volatile solvents legal); age-of-sale laws for specific products; poppers under ambiguous FDA status.
Trends
SAMHSA NSDUH tracks; resurgence concerns in some regions.
Treatment
Abstinence-based (no meds); family therapy; CRAFT.
Harm Reduction
Never use alone, ventilation, don't use with CNS depressants, education for parents and schools.