Separating Fact from Myth: The Truth About Nitrous Oxide (N₂O) Uses, Risks, and Benefits

Separating Fact from Myth: Understanding Nitrous Oxide

Discover the diverse applications of nitrous oxide (N₂O) in medicine, food, and automotive industries, including its use in aerosol whipped cream and cooking spray, and learn about its effects and safety measures. Nitrous oxide is a colourless gas commonly sold in metal canisters. Nitrous Oxide has been a popular party drug for decades, making regular appearances everywhere from your favorite festivals, balloons being sold outside of dance clubs, and your friendly family dentist. It use comes with feelings of euphoria, bliss, and in some cases, dissociative psychedelic experiences; even gaining several nicknames such as “laughing gas” to denote its short and fun high. In recent years, nitrous has increased its presence in pop culture with several mentions in movie and television shows. But, with all this attention what do we really know about the giggle-inducing gas? A quick google search will bring up any number of articles or podcasts describing N20, but much of the information is anecdotal or coming from the counter culture where rumor and scientific fact are not always intertwined. So, let’s dive into some of these common claims about the substance and finally sort out what is myth and what is fact about this unique and enjoyable drug.

Nitrous Oxide is called laughing gas because well, it makes you laugh.

In short, false. Nitrous creates feelings of deep relaxation and well being, which for some, may cause some laughter however it will not prompt fits of uncontrollable giggling. Nitrous oxide is administered through a mask that covers the patient's nose and mouth, allowing them to breathe in the gas flow during a medical procedure. Turns out, when an individual feels calm and as though they have nothing to worry about, they may let out a few chuckles. It is recommended to eat a light meal an hour or two before undergoing a procedure involving nitrous oxide to help mitigate potential side effects like nausea. Laughing gas may be the most used nickname for this gas but it is certainly not due to a shared experience of all its users. Nitrous oxide is commonly used in minor procedures in medical and dental settings to relieve anxiety and promote relaxation.

Nitrous Oxide is a dangerous class C drug.

Myth, however the context, dosage, and method of administration have a huge impact on the safety of any substance. Nitrous oxide has been used within the medical and dental industries for decades due to the fact that it is widely considered one of the safer sedatives by professionals. It is short-acting, can be used on a variety of different types of patients (including children and the elderly), the risk of addiction is incredibly low compared to other sedatives and painkillers on the market, and once it wears off patients are able to continue about their day with relatively no side-effects. That being said, when removed from the doctors office and being inhaled without supervision of someone with medical training, the variables for potential harm do increase. Inhaling nitrous oxide can lead to a decrease in oxygen and an increase in carbon dioxide, resulting in lightheadedness and potential health risks associated with long-term use. Recreational users should be sure to employ harm reduction techniques such as set and setting, knowing how much to take, never using alone, and having a basic understanding of potential drug interactions before imbibing.

Similarly, long-term use of nitrous may affect the body in a few different ways. Neuropathy has been reported in some cases of habitual users, and studies have also shown that the body’s stores of B12 are significantly depleted after even one use of N20. This compound has also not been studied in clinical research long enough to really have a full enough understanding of what can happen to people who have been using it regularly over one to five to ten years. Big picture, too much of anything or even regular use of anything will have consequences. Responsible laughing gas fans may want to take regular breaks, have some B vitamin supplements on hand, use a filter for gas inhalation, and educate themselves as further research becomes available.

Fact: Nitrous oxide IS classified as a Class C drug, making it illegal to possess, distribute, or sell without proper authorization. The legal consequences of possessing or distributing nitrous oxide can be severe, including potential penalties for individuals and property owners involved in the sale of illegal substances. Additionally, driving under the influence of nitrous oxide can result in significant legal repercussions.

Inhaling nitrous oxide directly from a high-pressure canister can lead to severe health issues, such as damaging the throat and lungs, or causing heart rate complications that could drop to a dangerous level.

Too much nitrous oxide can lead to serious complications such as loss of consciousness and suffocation. The dangers of inhaling nitrous oxide from canisters or in enclosed spaces are significant, with potential long-term effects including vitamin B12 deficiency and nerve damage. Chronic use can lead to a deficiency of vitamin B12, which may result in severe health issues like nerve damage and anemia.

There are benefits and side effects to using Nitrous Oxide.

This is true depending on the setting! Medically, nitrous is great because it doesn’t damage internal organs in the way that anesthesia and/or sedative use has the potential to. It is commonly used in dental procedures to alleviate anxiety and help patients relax before undergoing any dental work. It also is safe enough to be used in pediatrics. Likewise, it can be administered without the use of needles, saving some patients from the fear of being poked and prodded when needing various medical procedures performed. N20 also has anti-anxiety and pain relief properties that can help many individuals across many settings. However, nitrous oxide can inactivate an enzyme essential for processing vitamins B12 and B9, which are crucial for the protection of the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. For the recreational user, occasional use may be safer than some drug alternatives, and combining nitrous with other psychedelics has also been reported to provide some very desirable effects.

Nitrous Oxide is Fine to Use as a Recreational Drug.

Look, we aren’t here to debate the pros and cons of drug rescheduling or legalization, so the jury is out on this last one. However, it should be noted that using N2O as a recreational drug, popular outside of medical settings, should always be done with caution. Nitrous also is known to intensify the effects of other drugs or medications in your system, so be aware of this on your next night out. Nitrous oxide slows down brain function and bodily responses, with varying effects based on the dosage inhaled. N2O also has been documented to interfere particularly with central nervous system depressants such as barbiturates and alcohol. Essentially, be smart, do your research, and never be afraid to be curious and look into the things you are putting into your body.

Hopefully this has all helped to debunk some of the many myths out there about nitrous, and if not, you all should know how to google by now. And while you’re here trying to learn some new things, might I suggest keeping these harm reduction resources on hand for any potential extra-curricular use you may or may not get into (we certainly aren’t here to judge!):

https://harmreduction.org/about-us/principles-of-harm-reduction/

https://hri.global/what-is-harm-reduction/

https://www.webmd.com/interaction-checker/default.htm

https://www.harmreductiontherapy.com/

In addition to these broader harm reduction organizations and tools, every person using nitrous tanks, cartridges (whip its), etc. should consider using a filter to reduce potential health risks:

https://www.n2ofilters.com/

DYOR  (Do Your Own Research)