What is nitrous oxide?

Laughing gas ( N2O ), also called nitrous oxide , is one of several nitrogen oxides , a colorless gas with a pleasant, sweetish odor and taste, which when inhaled produces a higher tolerance for pain preceded by mild hysteria, sometimes laughter.

Because inhalation of small amounts produces a short-term euphoric effect and laughing gas Although it is not illegal to possess, it is also often used as a recreational drug. The risks are lower than with many other drugs or substances that have similar effects.

Laughing gas is also easily accessible and full legal in Sweden , which is one of the main reasons why it is so popular.

Nitrous oxide for events and parties

Today so nitrous oxide is used around the world for the high it offers when inhaled. Laughing gas is a gas that is inhaled for its quick but short-lived feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and calmness.

Although it has been used for almost 250 years, its use has increased, especially in Europe, since 2010. The popularity of nitrous oxide is explained by its easy availability, low price, short-lived effects, and the general perception among users that it is a relatively safe and socially acceptable drug.

Previously, small ones were usually used cartridges of the gas intended to make whipped cream to fill party balloons , from which the gas is inhaled.

Today, however, it is common to see larger gas cylinders in various designs. The larger gas cylinders not only make the gas cheaper for the end user, but they also open up more areas of use.

How does it feel to use nitrous oxide?

Laughing gas slows down your brain and body's reactions, and the effect of the drug varies depending on how much has been inhaled. Typically, the effects last anywhere from a minute to five minutes.

To take laughing gas usually gives:

• Feelings of euphoria, relaxation and calmness
• Attacks of giggling and laughter – hence the nickname “laughing gas”
• Audio distortions and hallucinations – when you see or hear things that are not there

Laughing gas can also:

• Give you a severe headache
• Cause dizziness and trouble thinking
• A heavy feeling in the chest
• Cause short-lived but intense feelings of paranoia

How long the effects last and the drug stays in your system depends on how much you've taken, your size, and what other drugs you may have taken.

Laughing gas is often taken in combination with other medications, drugs, or alcohol. So its effects can be unpredictable, as it depends on what other drugs are taken with it.

It is a short-acting drug that can lead to people frequently re-dosing and accidentally using more than they intended, which in turn can lead to the negative side effects mentioned above.

What are the risks of using nitrous oxide?

It is very dangerous to inhale nitrous oxide directly from the gas cylinder because you can damage your mouth, nose, throat or lungs due to: laughing gas is very cold when inhaled. This is due to the high pressure inside the gas cylinder.

To use nitrous oxide in a confined space is also very dangerous. This is because oxygen is limited in a confined space, which can cause you to become unconscious or suffer from oxygen deprivation. So you should not use nitrous oxide when you are sitting in a car, in a small room, or in a tent.

For the same reason, you should never place a plastic bag over your head to use nitrous oxide .

Use of nitrous oxide can also lead to dizziness that can make you make poor decisions, or cause you to fall and hurt yourself. You should therefore never use laughing gas in connection with, for example, driving a car or riding a bicycle.

Heavy regular use of laughing gas can lead to a deficiency of vitamin B12 and a form of anemia. Severe B12 deficiency can lead to serious nerve damage, which can cause tingling and numbness in the fingers and toes. This can be very painful and make it difficult to walk. It can even lead to paralysis, and the damage can sometimes be permanent.

Regular use can prevent you from producing white blood cells properly. This in turn makes you more susceptible to infections, and if you do get infections, it can be harder to fight them off on your own.

It can be difficult to assess how much laughing gas which should be used to be able to use it safely, especially if you use it over and over again. If you take too much, for example, you may faint or have an accident due to the risk of falling.

How to use nitrous oxide safely

An average dose of laughing gas is an 8g container dispensed into a balloon. Some heavier users will dispense two containers into the same balloon but this increases the risk significantly. The effects of nitrous oxide are so short-lived that it is common to use several balloons in one session.

• Always distribute laughing gas in a balloon. If you use it directly from a gas bottle, you risk lung and throat damage because the gas that is released is so cold.

• Do not try to inhale the entire balloon at once. Take a breath, then inhale some of the contents of the balloon, hold your breath for a short moment, and then exhale.

• Do not continue to breathe into the same balloon for a long time. After you have breathed into a balloon a few times, there will be no laughing gas left and you simply starve your brain of oxygen. Not many people have died from nitrous oxide , but when they have died it is as a result of oxygen deprivation.

• Use nitrous oxide sitting to avoid falls/accidents caused by the lack of coordination and the dizziness you are likely to experience.

• Avoid using nitrous oxide too often. Chronic use over a long period of time can cause vitamin B12 deficiency which in turn can have a negative effect on mood and memory.

• Keep in mind that laughing gas will make the effects of other drugs stronger, especially psychedelic drugs. Make sure you are in the right state of mind and in a safe and secure environment.

• If someone collapses or is unconscious after taking nitrous oxide , seek medical attention immediately. You will not get into trouble for doing this.

• Dispose of used containers properly – they can be recycled.

Where to buy nitrous oxide

Today you can buy cheap nitrous oxide both in physical stores or directly online. However, it is important that you are aware of whether nitrous oxide is manufactured for human consumption, that is, either for medical use or for food.

The majority of the nitrous oxide that you find in regular stores, in online stores, or that you can purchase at parties and events is of the type that is not directly harmful to humans.

Laughing gas that is designed for use in vehicles or other machinery can be directly harmful for human consumption. The nitrous oxide intended specifically for vehicles is usually sold only in stores that sell automotive accessories.

Other uses for nitrous oxide

As most people are familiar with, nitrous oxide is primarily known for its medicinal properties, which have been used for more than 150 years. However, it has a wider range of uses in various fields; including the automotive industry, dentistry, surgical procedures and even in psychology as a treatment for certain diagnoses.

As an anesthetic in medical and dental care

Medical laughing gas is an inhalable anesthetic, with immediate effect and low risk of allergic reactions or other side effects. It has a supraspinal action with euphoric effects that have earned it the nickname “laughing gas”. And that is that it can make patients relax and feel happy, or make them giggle after administration.

It is also widely used in dentistry. It is known that the gas tends to produce pleasant sensations that can help the patient relax before a dental procedure. Despite this, the patient retains the ability to answer questions or follow any instructions from the staff.

In the automotive industry

Laughing gas is also popular in the automotive industry precisely because of its low flammability. Currently, it participates in the modification of conventional cars to increase their power, but under certain well-defined conditions.

Its mode of action is simple. The molecular chain of nitrous oxide breaks down as combustion continues in the vehicle chamber. Consequently, the available oxygen increases and, if followed, the strength thereof increases.

As a potential treatment for depression

And finally, a lesser-known but notable use. Some studies suggest that nitrous oxide can be used as a treatment for depression, or at least as a component of treatment.

This is surprising given its temporary anesthetic and anxiolytic properties, but there is a possibility that they could be more long-lasting with proper management. In 2021, a study compared administration of laughing gas in two different doses, the patients were people with depression resistant to standard treatment.

In both cases, symptoms improved, although those given the higher concentration showed more side effects. And while research needs to continue, this is undoubtedly one of the most important uses.

As a propellant in food sprays and in cooking

Of course, we could not forget to mention the use of nitrous oxide in one of the most important industries in the world, food. In this category, it is mainly used as a propellant in aerosol products. A clear example of this is its use in whipped cream, where cartridges of this component are used to transform the cream into foam.

In addition, many professional chefs use laughing gas in the production of carbonated dishes. Since this component is odorless, colorless and also tasteless, it is one of the ideal ingredients in the world for professional cooking.

Some of the dishes in which nitrous oxide is commonly used are for the preparation of whipped cream and meringues of all possible colors and flavors. Many professionals also often use it to prepare Belgian waffles and for American pancakes, as it makes the batter more fluffy.

Frequently asked questions about nitrous oxide

Why is nitrous oxide called “laughing gas”?

Laughing gas has significant medical uses, particularly in surgery and dentistry, for its anesthetic and pain-reducing effects. Its colloquial name, “laughing gas,” was coined by Humphry Davy , is due to the euphoric effects of inhaling it, a property that has led to its use for recreation.

What are the effects of nitrous oxide?

Inhaling nitrous oxide produces a quick and short-lived feeling of euphoria, happiness or excitement. Other effects may include: dissociation of the mind from the body (a feeling of floating) changes in thoughts, feelings and sensory perceptions.

Can nitrous oxide be dangerous?

Side effects of nitrous oxide include transient dizziness, dissociation, disorientation, loss of balance, impaired memory and cognition, and weakness in the legs. When intoxicated, accidents such as tripping and falling can occur.

Why is nitrous oxide used?

When you breathe in laughing gas It displaces the air in your lungs and prevents oxygen from reaching your brain and blood. As a result of this lack of oxygen, you may experience a feeling of euphoria. Some people may even experience mild hallucinations. Once you stop inhaling the gas, the effects wear off quickly, usually without any lasting effects.

How do you use nitrous oxide with a balloon?

Make sure you hold the opening of the balloon tightly so that the gas does not flow out. Then inhale some air, place the opening of the balloon against your lips, slowly release some of the contents into your mouth and breathe it in. Hold it in your lungs for a few seconds, then breathe out, just like when you smoke a cigarette, for example.

Is cheap nitrous oxide worse than more expensive nitrous oxide?

There are different qualities of laughing gas which have different levels of quality. Some are intended for use in the food industry and are considered “food safe” and others are intended for medical use and are considered “medical grade”. Laughing gas intended for use in automobile engines is not for human consumption. Low quality gas may contain an oily residue and can be directly harmful if inhaled.