Nitrous oxide is also known as laughing gas. The earliest documented nitrous oxide research was in the late 1700s. Two English physicians- Thomas Beddoes and James Watt, discovered that nitrous oxide could produce a calming effect in conscious patients. The perception of pain becomes altered, making it easier to perform dental and some surgical procedures.
But even before nitrous oxide was used in the medical setting, it was abused as a recreational drug. It is widely reported that upper class British citizens threw “laughing gas” parties during the early 1800s. They would take turns inhaling nitrous oxide through masks. The first reported nitrous oxide use in the medical community wasn’t until 1844.
Common nitrous oxide applications. Fast forward 160 years and nitrous oxide is still abused today. Although nitrous oxide is still used as an anesthetic by licensed professionals, you can still find nitrous oxide in more public applications. Nitrous oxide is used to deliver oxygen faster into combustion chambers. This makes it a popular chemical for aircraft and race car engines. This form of nitrous oxide isn’t abused as often because it is mixed with highly toxic sulfur dioxide.
Nitrous oxide is also used as an aerosol propellant for food items. Whipped cream canisters and cooking spray canisters contain small cartridges of nitrous oxide. When released, the gas displaces oxygen and reduces bacterial growth. In the 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nitrous oxide was reportedly abused more than marijuana by 12 to 13 year-olds.
Nitrous oxide abuse. Common nitrous oxide recreational abuse occurs when large amounts are inhaled rapidly. Abusers acquire large amounts of food additive aerosol cans and empty their contents while trying to keep the cartridges intact. Cartridges are then punctured and inhaled through the nose. Other methods of nitrous oxide abuse include filling up balloons with it. The balloons are then rapidly deflated into the user’s mouth. Hence, nitrous oxide abuse is often referred to as “whippets”, “ballooning”, or “cartridges”.
Signs and symptoms. Abusers report feeling extremely euphoric, dizzy, and detached and numb while high on nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide abusers also report auditory and visual hallucinations. The high often lasts for three to five minutes. During repeated use, nitrous oxide has been shown to damage the cingulated cortex in the brain, which is responsible for general awareness; and the retrosplenial region, which controls episodic memory. Symptoms of abuse include nausea, slurred speech, lack of coordination and depression.
Repeated use also causes B12 vitamin deficiency. Even if the nitrous oxide abuser does not overdose, it can put them at risk for anemia. Nitrous oxide reduces red blood cell count since it pushes oxygen out of the blood stream. That can lead to nerve and organ damage.
Fatal danger. Repeated nitrous oxide abuse causes fatal danger because it causes respiratory depression, also known as hypoventilation. This prevents carbon dioxide from leaving the body, which in turn reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the brain. When the brain does not receive enough oxygen, seizures and loss of consciousness can happen. A common side effect after use is vomiting. Therefore, an unconscious nitrous oxide abuser cannot clear the airway of vomit. Asphyxiation can also occur and cause death since the nitrous oxide has replaced oxygen in the lungs.
SOURCES:
“2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/nhsda.htm
“Inhalant Abuse: NIDA Research Report Series” (2005). National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse. http://www.nida.nih.gov/researchreports/inhalants (