Risks and Side Effects of Laughing Gas

Reviewed by Michael Bayer, CADC-ll
Nitrous oxide is a substance which includes the chemical formula N2O. It is a sweet smelling and colorless gas. This substance is typically used by doctors or dentists in medical procedures as an anesthetic and analgesic. For example is used to help relieve pain during child birth. It is typically given through a mask in addition to oxygen. It is an inhalant and used as a pain killer. Nitrous oxide is also used in car racing and as an additive in rockets to increase the power of the engine. It can also cause hallucinations and a sense of euphoria. Because of these effects it has been popularly used recreationally. Street names for nitrous oxide are:
  • Laughing gas
  • Whippets
  • Nitro
  • Gas
  • Grocery store gas
  • Buzz bomb
  • Nigh
  • Nitrogen
As an inhalant, nitrous oxide is a dissociative drug. In other words, it blocks signals to your mind. There are several different nitrous oxide side effects you may want to be aware of before trying laughing gas:
  • Dreamlike state of mind
  • Hallucinations
  • Psychedelic state of mind
  • Slows down breathing
  • Slows down heart rate
  • Auditory distortions
  • Nausea
  • Confusion
  • Hazy memory
  • frostbite
  • numbness
  • A sense of feeling “drunk”
  • Dizziness
  • anemia
  • Unconsciousness
  • Death
Nitrous oxide is a drug and can easily become habit forming. Nitrous oxide if released directly from the canister is very cold and can cause immediate damage if inhaled that way. Typically, it is used by inflating a balloon or bag with the drug and then inhaling it.  By the time the gas is released into the bag or balloon, the temperature of the inhalant is much higher than it was directly out of the canister. The “high” from the laughing gas is very short lived. So it is not uncommon for recreational users to inhale the gas time and time again. This creates an even greater sense of danger.   Part of the reason you feel “high” while under the influence is because your brain isn’t getting enough oxygen. That is why you feel lightheaded or dizzy. You can never know when you are taking too much and you may become unconscious. If used on a regular basis you may experience muscle spasms, irreversible damage may occur to your limbs, or you may damage or lose sense of hearing.

If you are thinking about using drugs, whether you’re smoking marijuana, popping pills, inhaling laughing gas or injecting heroin, you may want to consider why. Why would you want to take a chance in damaging your body or brain just to get “high”? Are you mixed up with the wrong crowd? Are your friends pressuring you? Or are you trying to escape some feeling or situation? There are so many other ways to have fun, but if you are in escape mode, there are other ways to escape. You can talk to somebody about your problems and get professional help. There are meetings and groups and classes you can attend where you can discuss your issues with others just like you without using drugs.


[page updated February 2009]
Get trusted, useful, and practical articles to help you in all aspects of life.
 
advertisement
advertisement

Nitrous Oxide


dinitrogen oxide or dinitrogen monoxide, or laughing gas
[*IUPACName*]
Inhalants
Drug Parent: Unknown
Methods of Treatment:
Drug Treatment, Drug Rehab
Find Treatment Resources & Professionals
Business Name:
Category:
State:
City:
More Options
Do You Have an Addiction?
Not sure if you need treatment? Take our free self assessment tests and find out if you need help.

Add Treatment4Addiction on Myspace

Copyright © 2009 Treatment4Addiction.com
Home • About T4A • Treatment Blog • Advertising • Sponsor Policy • Privacy Policy • Terms of Use • Link to Us • Site Map