Teen Inhalant Use Surges Amid Social Media Influence

Analysis of 2021-2023 national surveys shows 2.2 % of U.S. adolescents—over 500,000 teens—used inhalants in the past year, with nitrous oxide now a leading substance. Social-media videos depicting the practice are a catalyst.

CNN

Inhalants are chemicals that cause mind-altering effects when inhaled. Common items—glue, shoe polish, paint thinner, aerosol sprays, gasoline, and nitrous-oxide cartridges for whipped-cream dispensers—are used. Nitrous oxide serves medical roles in sedation and analgesia.

CNN

Dr. Leana Wen, emergency physician, adjunct associate professor at George Washington University and former Baltimore health commissioner, provided commentary on inhalant trends, health effects, and prevention.

CNN

33,700-adolescent survey found 0.7 % used inhalants and 0.3 % met disorder criteria. Ages 12-13 reported higher use than older teens; females were more likely to develop disorder. Use correlated with tobacco, fighting and stealing. Black adolescents had lower odds of use, while Native American/Alaska Native youths had higher odds of disorder; Asian adolescents had lower odds.

CNN

Short-term inhalant effects include dizziness, slurred speech, impaired coordination, nausea, hallucinations, and loss of consciousness. Repeated use can cause irreversible brain, nerve, liver, kidney and heart damage, hearing loss, dependence, and sudden sniffing death syndrome—a fatal cardiac arrhythmia that may follow a single use. Nitrous-oxide misuse also disrupts vitamin B12, leading to neuropathy, spinal-cord injury.

CNN

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning in early 2026, citing a 2023 national survey that identified over 13 million Americans who have misused nitrous oxide. The agency advises against recreational inhalation and stresses risks of acute injury and chronic neurological damage.

CNN

Public-health experts criticize social-media platforms for amplifying the view that inhalants are harmless, noting that videos portraying nitrous-oxide use as “funny” or “trendy” can mislead adolescents about medical risks.

CNN

Researchers plan further national surveys to track inhalant trends, while policymakers consider tighter regulation of nitrous-oxide cartridges and public-health campaigns on social-media sites. Collaboration among schools, health agencies and families is emphasized to reduce adolescent exposure.

CNN

“Leana Wen: Inhalants are chemicals that produce mind-altering effects when people breathe in their fumes.” — Dr. Leana Wen, emergency physician

CNN

“Wen: Nitrous oxide is often perceived as safer because it has legitimate medical uses, but that perception can be misleading.” — Dr. Leana Wen

CNN

“This is a fatal heart rhythm disturbance that can occur even after a single episode of inhalant use.” — Dr. Leana Wen

CNN

“It’s important to explain clearly that “legal” or “household” does not mean safe.” — Dr. Leana Wen

CNN