Updated August 7th, 2025
News reports this week in Summit County, Ohio are documenting a new, dangerous drug trend called “wasping” that involves meth and bug spray. Drug users are combining methamphetamine with white, foamy wasp and hornet spray to achieve some kind of new high that has already sent several people in Ohio to the hospital.
Drug users are abusing the insecticide with their meth in various ways, such as spraying it onto the methamphetamine or crystallizing the spray with heat before shooting it up into their veins. This use of both substances simultaneously allows them to achieve the high they’re after, but not without dangerous consequences.
Alone, methamphetamine abuse can cause harmful short-term effects such as:
- Increased alertness/wakefulness
- Decreased appetite
- Faster breathing
- Rapid and/or irregular heartbeat
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased body temperature
- Paranoia
- Violence
- Psychotic behaviors
When combined with an insecticide, methamphetamine poses even more physical risks. This new drug combination is especially dangerous, as it has been shown to cause some of the following side effects:
- Flushed appearance
- Hallucinations
- Agitation
- Body contortions
- Memory problems
- Disorientation
Vitals such as body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rate may also be severely affected by this new drug combination.
The Alarming Rise of Wasping: A Dangerous Meth and Bug Spray Drug Trend
Wasping is an emerging and extremely dangerous form of substance abuse that combines methamphetamine or synthetic meth with common household bug spray or wasp spray. This disturbing trend involves spraying insecticides—typically containing pyrethroids—onto meth or onto surfaces like glass or foil, letting the residue crystalize, and then inhaling or smoking the result. The practice is gaining notoriety as a toxic method of inhalant abuse.
As the term “bug spray drug” trends across news outlets and online forums, health experts are warning that wasping is far more than a passing fad. It’s a life-threatening behavior that’s spreading quickly in areas already impacted by high rates of meth addiction and methamphetamine use.
What Makes Wasping So Dangerous?
Using insecticides as drugs causes immediate and long-term harm. These products are designed to kill bugs—not to be ingested or inhaled by humans. The side effects of wasp spray abuse can include:
- Seizures and psychosis
- Respiratory failure
- Irregular heart rhythms
- Brain damage
- Permanent organ damage
- Death
When combined with meth, the effects become even more volatile, leading to severe overdose risks and violent behavior. Users report extreme hallucinations, muscle convulsions, and long-term neurological complications.
Inhalant Abuse: Not Just a Teen Trend
While inhalant abuse is often associated with teens misusing household products, wasping has become a broader crisis. It’s part of a larger wave of dangerous drug trends where individuals turn to legal or easily accessible products to mimic or amplify the high of harder drugs. Unfortunately, many people don’t understand the risks involved until it’s too late.
Health officials have documented rising cases in rural communities, urban neighborhoods, and correctional facilities—anywhere people are seeking cheap, fast, and dangerous ways to get high.
Getting Help for Substance Abuse Problems
Authorities in Ohio are urging residents not to attempt this dangerous new drug trend as it could be deadly. If you or a loved one is struggling with methamphetamine abuse or substance abuse in general, it may be time for an intervention.
Getting sober can be a very challenging life experience for many addicted people, but with the right support, drug detox, rehab, and sober living can lead to a fulfilling lifestyle of wellness and sobriety.
Medically-assisted drug detox is the first step to achieving sobriety and it provides a safe and effective way to stop all drug abuse before enrolling in rehab. Contact Briarwood Detox Center today to learn more about our personalized drug and alcohol detox programs or to enroll at our Austin or Houston, Texas detox center.
Detox from Meth and Inhalants at Briarwood Detox Center
At Briarwood Detox Center, we recognize that modern drug abuse doesn’t always look traditional. Our team is trained to treat the physical and psychological effects of meth addiction, synthetic meth use, and co-occurring inhalant abuse. Our medically supervised detox programs in Texas provide:
- 24/7 clinical monitoring for meth and inhalant withdrawal
- Evidence-based treatment plans tailored to methamphetamine and household chemical exposure
- Crisis intervention for individuals affected by wasp spray abuse
- Safe, supportive care in a structured detox environment
If you or someone you love is struggling with methamphetamine use or engaging in the dangerous practice of wasping, we can help you start your recovery today.