Inhalants are breathable substances that produce psychoactive (mood-altering) vapours, which are found in lighter gas refills and fuel canisters. Aerosols containing products such as hairspray, deodorants and air freshener's, tins or tubes of glue and some paints, thinners and correcting fluids. They are sniffed or breathed into the lungs through the nostrils or mouth.

Two popular inhalants are Amyl Nitrite and Butyl Nitrite. It is a clear, yellowish liquid that is sold in a cloth-covered, sealed bulb. The bulbs emit a popping or snapping sound when broken, which accounts for the nicknames "Poppers" and "Snappers." Butyl Nitrite is packaged in small bottles, often marked incense, and sold under a variety of names including "locker room" and "rush." The high from Butyl Nitrite lasts from a few seconds to several minutes.

The principal substance of abuse in anaesthetic's is Nitrous Oxide. A Colourless, sweet-tasting gas used by doctors and dentists for general anaesthesia, Nitrous Oxide is called "Laughing Gas" because it often induces a state of giggling and laughter. Nitrous Oxide is often sold in large balloons from which the gas is released and inhaled for its mind-altering effects. Inhaling the gas may deplete the body of oxygen and can result in death; prolonged use can result in peripheral nerve damage.

Extended use of inhalants can cause weight loss, fatigue, and an electrolyte (salt) imbalance. Repeated use can permanently damage the nervous system, greatly reducing physical and mental abilities.