If someone breathes in the fumes on purpose to get high (inhalant abuse) they can get very sick. They can have slurred speech, pass out and have an irregular heartbeat. Inhalant abuse can also make someone’s heart stop working and they can die. This is known as Sudden Sniffing Death, which can happen anytime someone abuses an inhalant.
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The National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teachers says Sharpies contain volatile solvents, which are liquids that become gases at room temperatures. When inhaled, solvents produce a "high."
They can cause slurred speech, lack of coordination, euphoria and dizziness, and even Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome. Repeated sniffing of inhalants can harm your vital organs.
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So I put the lid on my beloved Sharpie and called up inhalant expert Ruben Baler of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, who specializes in the neurobiology of drugs. He explains that while research on inhalants (like Sharpies) and how they impact the brain is somewhat limited, we do know the culprit behind that unsatisfying high — volatile organic compounds, which are added to permanent markers because they evaporate and help the ink dry. “In general, they have an inhibitor effect on the brain, very much like sedatives or alcohol,” says Baler. Inhaling them slows down the brain, which results in symptoms like slurred speech, loss of coordination, nausea and so on.
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