Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is a colourless gas that is commonly used for sedation and pain relief, as well as recreationally to feel intoxicated or high. While it may seem harmless, the effects of nitrous oxide can be dangerous, and even deadly. Nitrous oxide is also known by various other names such as laughing gas, nitro, N2O, NOS, nangs, whippet, hippy crack, buzz bomb, and balloons.
Nitrous oxide is a chemical compound with the molecular formula N2O. It is an oxidizing agent that can support combustion and is commonly used for anesthesia and analgesia. Nitrous oxide also has applications in automotive performance, where it is known as a laughing gas for its ability to increase engine output.
Number of Deaths reported
According to a report published by the National Office of Statistics in 2020, Nitrous oxide was the third most mentioned substance on the death certificate after butane and propane, with 56 deaths registered between 2001 and 2020, and 45 of those having been registered since 2010.
Legal Status
Possession of Nitrous Oxide is now illegal in the UK. The government has categorized it as a class C drug due to its psychoactive effects. Any person caught in possession of the substance could face up to two years in prison.
Nitrous oxide has become one of the most commonly abused substances in England and Wales, particularly among young people. In the year ending March 2020, 2.4% of adults aged 16 to 59 years and 8.7% of adults aged 16 to 24 years reported using nitrous oxide in the past year.
This makes it the second most abused drug for those aged 16 to 24 (after cannabis) and the third most abused drug among those aged 16 to 59 years (after cannabis and cocaine).
Chemical Composition
Nitrous oxide is an oxide of nitrogen with a chemical formula N2O. This organic compound is colourless and non-flammable at room temperature.
Effects of Nitrous Oxide
Recent studies have shed light on the potential effects of nitrous oxide on the human body, including memory loss, Sedation, Confusion, giddiness, uncontrolled laughter, and movement. Other effects include loss of blood pressure, heart attack, blurred vision, Fainting, and numbness of the hands and feet.
According to the Australian Trends in Ecstasy and Related Drug Markets 2016 Survey, around one-third (36%) of a sample of people who regularly use ecstasy and related drugs reported recent nitrous oxide use in the six months preceding the survey. Use of nitrous oxide was highest in Victoria, Australia with 62% of respondents reporting use.
When nitrous oxide is inhaled, it produces a rapid rush of euphoria and a feeling of floating or excitement for a short period of time. However, it also produces numbness of the body, sedation, giddiness, uncontrolled laughter, uncoordinated movements, blurred vision, confusion, dizziness and light-headedness, sweating, feeling unusually tired or weak, and in rare cases, visual hallucinations.
While nitrous oxide has benefits in medical and automotive applications, its abuse can lead to addiction and pose risks to the environment and the human body. Therefore, responsible usage and management are crucial to maximize the benefits and minimize risks.
The long-term effects of prolonged exposure to nitrous oxide may include memory loss, vitamin B12 depletion (long-term depletion causes brain and nerve damage), ringing or buzzing in the ears, incontinence, numbness in the hands or feet, limb spasms, potential birth defects if consumed during pregnancy, weakened immune system, disruption to reproductive systems, depression, psychological dependence, and psychosis.
Overall, it is important for individuals to be aware of the potential risks associated with nitrous oxide use and to make informed decisions about their own well-being.
