Updated on November 15, 2023
8 min read

What Are Safe Ways to Get High Without Drugs or Alcohol?

Key Takeaways

  • You can get high without drugs or alcohol by using household items
  • Most of these everyday items are easily accessible and are dangerous to children
  • You can get drunk on mouthwash and hand sanitizers because they contain alcohol
  • Items like whipped cream cans, paint thinners, and cough syrup can also produce a dangerous high
  • Getting drunk or high using household items can lead to dangerous side effects or alcohol poisoning
  • If your child is suffering from substance abuse, seek professional help immediately

Can You Get High Without Drugs or Alcohol?

Many understand the dangers of recreational drugs such as cannabis, alcohol, heroin, or prescription medications. Because of this, most parents watch their children for signs of substance abuse.

However, few know the dangers their kids face when getting high without drugs or alcohol. Many things inside your home can produce a dangerous high but are considered safe. Parents are usually unaware of the risks these items pose.

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13 Ways to Get High Without Illicit Drugs or Alcohol

Did you know there are at least 13 ways to get high without alcohol or drugs? Your children can easily access many household items that produce a high.

If you're not careful, these items can lead to drug addiction. These include:

1. Keyboard Cleaners/Aerosol Sprays

Using inhalants or huffing produces an immediate rush of euphoria, which leads to delusions or hallucinations. Whipped cream cans are the most commonly used product for getting high.

These products have chemicals and solvents like:

  • Butane
  • Propane
  • Methylal
  • Dioxolane

2. Gas

Inhaling high doses of fumes from gas is another way to get high. You may feel dizzy or light-headed after inhaling these fumes because they directly impact the central nervous system.

3. Paint Thinners

Similar to gas, fumes from paint thinners are inhaled to achieve intoxication. The two chemicals in paint thinners, toluene, and xylene, offer similar effects to those of alcohol. You may feel a euphoric high due to the dopamine rush in your system.

4. Nutmeg

When consumed in larger-than-normal amounts, nutmeg produces feelings of:

  • Sedation
  • Floating
  • Delirium
  • Hallucinations

You may experience some side effects when you eat too much nutmeg. These include vomiting and diarrhea.

5. Frogs

Licking the Bugo Alvarius toad or “DMT Frog” produces feelings of intoxication similar to using the drug DMT. In addition to the high, the other chemicals in the toad’s secretions can interfere with cardiovascular function.

6. Garden Seeds

Some garden seeds, such as morning glory flowers, can be soaked in water to create a psychoactive beverage. It produces effects similar to what one would experience when using LSD.

7. Anti-Diarrheal Medicine

In some cases of drug abuse, teens may take anti-diarrheal medicine to get high. However, taking large doses of this medication can send you to the ER or kill you.

Side effects include:

  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Tiredness
  • Constipation
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Uncomfortable fullness of the stomach
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Fainting

8. Whipped Cream

Teens use canisters containing nitrous oxide to produce a high through inhaling. In addition to the high, teens misusing canisters experience:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Shivering
  • Fatigue
  • Sweating

9. Choking

Teens will play the Choking Game or alter their breathing techniques to the point of passing out to produce a high. Choking can cause you to feel light-headed because of the lack of oxygen reaching your brain.

10. I-Dosing

Some videos or audio recordings on the internet claim to produce a “digital high.” These recordings include binaural beats that play different frequencies in each ear causes.

11. Caffeine Supplements

Misusing caffeine pills by taking too many or combining them with other substances can result in a high. Doing so puts teens at risk for other health problems, including panic attacks.

12. Diet Pills

Young people mix diet pills with other substances to enhance or intensify a high. Some diet pills also contain Amphetamines, which are stimulants that can be highly addictive. Many teens who have eating disorders also abuse this substance.

13. Cough Syrup

Cough syrups containing dextromethorphan, or DXM, can produce a high that includes sedation and hallucinations. In addition to the high, this can lead to cardiovascular issues.

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Dangers of Getting High Without Drugs

Although the products that produce these at-home highs might be safe when used appropriately, many are dangerous to get high with.

Getting high without drugs can lead to some dangerous side effects including:

  • Cognitive damage
  • Poor academic performance
  • Developmental delays
  • Potential development of a mental health disorder
  • Relationship damage
  • Long-term addiction struggles

Although it might seem like using household items to get high is not as dangerous as using drugs, even first-time experiences can result in brain damage.

Teen Drug Use Statistics

35

Percent

Of high schoolers have tried marijuana.3

1 in 3

12th Graders

Have reported vaping in the last month.3

2.8

Percent

Of high schoolers use over-the-counter cough and cold medications to get high.3

Using Alcohol to Get High

Another common way kids get high is by indulging in alcohol abuse. If you have alcohol in your home, ensure your child isn't drinking from the bottle and refilling it with another liquid.

Kids might also vaporize alcohol and smoke it. They won’t smell like they’ve been drinking, but they’ll get intensely drunk quickly.

Getting Drunk Without Alcohol

Children don’t even need access to liquor to get high from alcohol. Items in your home that can produce a high or drunkenness include:

  • Hand sanitizers
  • Mouthwash
  • Flavored extracts used for baking or cooking

These substances are dangerous to consume in large quantities due to ingredients other than alcohol. It can also increase the risk of alcohol poisoning and death.

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How to Get High Without Drugs?

You can do a few things to produce euphoric effects without drugs. Many people use different activities to achieve a healthy rush of dopamine or adrenaline, similar to a high.

Because of this, they don't need a chemically-induced high. These activities can also improve your self-esteem and help you avoid using products that are bad for your health.

Here are a few ways to "get high" without drugs:

Exercise

Exercise releases endorphins that reduce pain and create pleasurable feelings, similar to a high. Although it can be hard to start exercising regularly, it's worth it. Exercising improves your overall health and confidence.

Volunteering

Practicing acts of kindness can help you feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. You'll feel a natural sense of euphoria by doing good things for others and the community.

This can help boost your:

  • Self-esteem
  • Confidence
  • Life satisfaction
  • Sense of identity

Sleep

There are many benefits to getting good sleep. Aside from improving your mood, it can also improve other aspects of your health, including:

  • Improved immune system
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Lower risk of diabetes and heart disease
  • Reduced stress
  • Improved cognitive functions
  • Improved decision making
  • Reduces the risk of injury from accidents

Laughter

They say that laughter is the best medicine. Although it can't cure all ailments, it provides a sense of euphoria and pleasure. It does this by releasing endorphins in the brain.

Other benefits of a good sense of humor include:

  • Stress relief
  • Reduced tension
  • Improved mood
  • Increased personal satisfaction
  • Improved immune system from neuropeptides

Meditation

Like exercises, meditation can release endorphins that make you feel better and improve mental health. Meditation helps you focus and feel good through relaxation and controlled movements. It can also increase serotonin levels, a powerful neurotransmitter regulating pleasure feelings.

Thrilling Activities

Engaging in thrilling activities can give you a rush of adrenaline, which is a powerful natural high. Some examples of these types of activities include:

  • Extreme sports
  • Cage diving
  • Ziplining
  • Bungee jumping
  • Thrill rides like rollercoasters

Remember that these activities tend to come with a big risk of injury, so proceed with caution. If you're scared, these activities might not be for you.

Performance

Some people get a rush of adrenaline when performing on a stage. If the idea of performing sounds appealing to you, here are a few things you can do:

  • Join a community theater
  • Participate in a dance team
  • Take part in a band or orchestra
  • Perform stand-up comedy at an open mic
  • Join a local church choir

For some, these activities can give them a sense of euphoria and pleasure. However, if you have stage fright, there might be other opportunities to get involved with the performance.

Finding a Hobby

Finding a hobby that you're passionate about can provide a sense of pride. It can even give you a sense of accomplishment once you complete or master the hobby.

Some examples include:

  • Sports
  • Video games
  • Journaling
  • Writing
  • Art
  • Camping or hiking
  • Cooking

Spending Time with Loved Ones

Spending time with people you cherish can greatly improve your mood. You can get "drunk" off the atmosphere and feel euphoric when spending time with family and friends. Doing simple things such as having a conversation or going for a walk can provide a natural high.

Eating Good Food

Having a good meal or eating your favorite food can give you a sense of satisfaction and pleasure. Eating alongside good company can also increase happiness. Savoring the meal can give you the most satisfaction from the mealtime experience.

Treatment for Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

If your child suffers from substance abuse, contact a treatment center immediately. It's important to understand that people respond to treatment differently, so speaking to a doctor is essential.

They can recommend a treatment plan that caters to your needs. They can also offer professional medical advice about any concern you may have.

Available treatment options for SUDs include:

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Updated on November 15, 2023
7 sources cited
Updated on November 15, 2023
  1. “Is This Where Your Teen Goes to Get High?” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2016

  2. “Synthetic Cathinones ("Bath Salts") DrugFacts.” National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020.

  3. Johnston et al. “Drug Use 2019 Overview Key Findings on Adolescent Drug Use.” National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institutes of Health, 2020.

  4. McLellan, A.T. "Substance Misuse and Substance use Disorders: Why do they Matter in Healthcare?" Transactions of the American Clinical and Climatological Association, 2017.

  5. Nawi et al. "Risk and protective factors of drug abuse among adolescents: a systematic review." BMC Public Health, 2021.

  6. "Rise in Prescription Drug Misuse and Abuse Impacting Teens." Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2022.

  7. Krishnakumar et al. "Meditation and Yoga can Modulate Brain Mechanisms that affect Behavior and Anxiety-A Modern Scientific Perspective." Archive of Ancient Science of Life, 2015.

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