Nitrous Oxide: Facts and Harm Reduction
- Kim May
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Nitrous oxide has a lot of nicknames. Laughing gas, whippets, N2O, balloons, hippy crack, just to name a few. Nitrous oxide is interesting because it has so many applications. It has been used in dentistry for well over one hundred years, it is how we get whipped cream in a canister, and it is used for engine performance.
However, what nitrous has been known for and for a very long time are its psychoactive properties. As early as 1799, upper class Brits were having laughing gas parties. And it has never really stopped being a popular party drug. It is less well known than drugs like alcohol, cocaine, or opioids and as a result, people are not as aware of the potential dangers.
What is nitrous oxide?
Nitrous oxide is a gas and belongs to a class of drugs called dissociative anesthetics, the same drug class as ketamine. A drug that “dissociates” is one that makes people feel separate from themselves and/or their environment. While not considered a psychedelic, like mushrooms, dissociative anesthetics can cause people to experience hallucinations. Nitrous oxide comes in pressurized canisters of assorted sizes depending on the intended application.
How is nitrous oxide taken?
The route of administration for nitrous oxide is inhalation. Nitrous is inhaled through balloons. Most people get nitrous from the pressurized cannisters for making whipped cream (hence the name whip-its). The gas is dispensed into a balloon using a “cracker” or into a different dispenser, then it is inhaled.
What happens when you inhale nitrous oxide?
The effect happens instantly, and the high is evanescent, rarely exceeding a minute or two unless someone is inhaling repeatedly. The experience is described as trancelike, sometimes producing tingly bodily sensations and often feels a little euphoric. Reduced coordination, confusion and dizziness can also be common. Interestingly, it doesn’t tend to produce as much laughter as its moniker implies.
The effects wear off quickly, but some people experience dizziness or headaches after a nitrous session.
Is using nitrous oxide dangerous?
All drugs carry risks, and nitrous use can be highly dangerous, especially with heavy, frequent use. Extremely low blood pressure, fainting, and risk of heart attack can all occur from using large amounts of nitrous, or for people who are mixing substances and/or have pre-existing health conditions.
Nitrous oxide does not kill brain cells as many people believe. However, loss of oxygen to the brain does. Oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) can cause suffocation and brain damage.
Long term effects from nitrous oxide use
The higher the amount used and the more frequent the use, the more potentially damaging impacts a person may have. These may include:
Negative impacts on mental health (depression, psychosis)
Memory problems
Vitamin B12 depletion (brain and nerve damage)
Ringing or buzzing in the ears
Incontinence
Numbness in the extremities
Potential birth defects (if consumed during pregnancy)
Weakened immune system.
Vitamin B12 depletion is a serious risk when people are using it at high volume and high frequency. When vitamin B12 is depleted, it can cause long-term numbness in the hands and feet; a condition called neuropathy. Nitrous also impacts your body’s ability to process B12, so there is a limit to how much B12 supplements can help offset the overall depletion.
Harm reduction for nitrous oxide use
Of course, the safest bet is to avoid nitrous oxide use altogether. However, if you choose to use it, there are things you can do to minimize your risk of harm. Nothing matters more than your safety.
Avoid using alone in case you fall or lose consciousness.
Use in a safe spot, while sitting down. One of the biggest risks is falls after inhalation.
Take several breaths of clean, fresh air in between nitrous hits to help prevent hypoxia.
DO NOT use masks to get a steady stream of nitrous.
DO NOT inhale nitrous directly from the canister. Canisters are highly pressurized and freezing; it can cause damage to lungs and burns/frostbite to throat/lips. (Dispense into a balloon instead).
Due to carbon monoxide build-up, balloons should not be reused.
To avoid tolerance and help minimize harm, it’s advised to not use it several days in a row.
Nitrous from large tanks labeled auto grade can contain harmful contaminants. Only food grade or medical grade nitrous should be used.
Avoid using nitrous oxide near open flames (i.e., lighters, cigarettes)
If you are going to use nitrous oxide, avoid combining it with other drugs/alcohol.
Support if you need it
If nitrous oxide use, or other substances, are disrupting your life and you need help, support is available. You may want to quit, reduce your use, or simply explore your relationship with substances. No judgment, just support.
Sources:
About the Author
Kimberly May, LPC-S, LMFT is a therapist at Substance Use Therapy in Austin, TX. Kimberly works with individuals, couples, and families whose lives have been affected by substance use. By using a harm reduction framework, Kimberly works effectively with people in any stage of use. In addition to substance use, she works with other issues such as anger, burn-out, anxiety and grief. Contact today to schedule a no-charge, 30 minute, in-person consultation.
Comments