A case report details the death of a teen who died as a result of inhaling deodorant spray to get high. Experts warn of the potentially dangerous consequences of misusing common household products.

Teen’s Death

In a case report, authors describe the death of a 19-year-old in the Netherlands who inhaled deodorant to get high. Evidently, the teen had been admitted to a rehabilitation center for cannabis and ketamine abuse, and had a history of psychotic symptoms. Unfortunately, it was during a relapse last July that he took a towel over his head and inhaled deodorant spray to get high.

The report states that he quickly became hyperactive before his blood flow abruptly stopped, causing him to go into cardiac arrest. He was then rushed to the hospital and placed into a medically induced coma, but died nine days after he was admitted.

According to experts, there are three possible theories behind how inhalant could have caused the cardiac arrest. It might have over-sensitized the heart, decreased the strength of the heart’s muscle contraction, or caused a spasm of the coronary arteries.

Inhalant Abuse And Misuse

Evidently, such deaths from deodorants are not exactly new. In fact, similar cases involving volatile substances such as deodorants, paint thinner, and even hairspray have been reported in the last 40 years. Today, it accounts for about 125 deaths each year in the United States alone, and more commonly among teenagers from disadvantaged backgrounds.

That said, such incidences are not very common and as such remains to be one of the least known methods to attain an altered state.

Even so, the fact that these substances are quite common in households is still very much a cause of concern because they’re so accessible to those who are vulnerable and more prone to abuse. Particularly in insecure environments, such household products are more easily available than other substances.