Real Teens Ask: Can inhaling Sharpie markers make you high?
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Lots of kids have questions about drugs. That’s why each year, NIDA scientists spend a day chatting online with high school students and answering their questions.
At our last Drug Facts Chat Day, mmmegan asked:
“can inhaling sharpies make you high?!?!?!”
According to NIDA’s scientists, the answer is yes. Permanent markers contain chemicals called solvents. When inhaled, these solvents can produce a “high.” Like alcohol, inhalants (including Sharpies) can cause slurred speech, lack of coordination, euphoria, and dizziness. Unfortunately, the chemicals that cause these effects can also make you sick, kill your brain cells, and damage your nerves.
Some people think inhalants aren’t “real drugs” because a lot of them are sold in grocery stores—stuff like cleaners, glue, and markers. Household products are safe, if you use them like you’re supposed to. But that doesn’t mean they’re okay to inhale! I mean, you wouldn’t drink drain cleaner, or squirt bug spray in your mouth, would you? The chemicals in inhalants can be very dangerous, especially to kids. It’s rare, but some kids have even died after a single session of inhaling chemical fumes. So it’s really true that inhalants can kill you.
You can read more real questions from kids at our NIDA Drug Facts Chat Day transcripts. And you can get more information on inhalants at NIDA’s website.
sharpies are nontoxic, it says it on the side of the marker. they do not get you high. the feeling you feel when you sniff them is yourself hyperventilating. its from a lack of oxygen to your brain, not the effects of chemicals as these [folks] explained. I cant believe you ppl are dumb enough to huff the [sharpies] and really think it makes you high, and I realy cant believe these so called scientists are telling you kids there are really chemicals that get you high in sharpies. if they would tell you the truth that the damn things are nontoxic and you just look like a [expletive deleted] loser with a colored ring around your nostril then maybe kids wouldnt do it.
i sniff sharpies and i do get high…it makes me feel really good but when im not high i feel really depressed and sick…DONT DO IT!!!!
I took one deep sniff and felt kinda funny for a few seconds was i high?
@spencer240 I would use a different kind of marker if I were you, and leave the Sharpies alone!
@Kikekingofhearts Hard to say. Are you usually funny?
ok first, i didnt know how i feel is being high, im only about 13 so yeah and im realy stressed and when i do sniff sharpies, i relax and im not selfconsious and i feel better. after i read this i put all my sharpies away and i need to think……