Nitrous Oxide

Recently medical practitioners in Nevada County have seen an increase in patients being seen at the emergency department and other settings as a result of complications from recreational nitrous oxide use. These complications are often neurological, ranging from tingling in the extremities, loss of sensation and significant weakness to long-term neurological damage.

Below you will find health and safety information about nitrous oxide and a nitrous oxide health education toolkit with downloadable resources (fact sheet, presentation slides and a social media image and sample post).

Nitrous Oxide Education Toolkit

What is nitrous oxide?

Nitrous oxide (also known as laughing gas, “noz” or whippets/whip-its) is a colorless gas that is commonly used for sedation and pain relief in medical settings, but is also used recreationally.

In medical settings, nitrous oxide is highly regulated and typically administered along with oxygen for safety. When used recreationally, it is often ingested at much higher concentrations.

Nitrous Oxide Info & Safety Fact Sheet Download

How is nitrous oxide used?

Nitrous oxide most commonly comes in highly-pressurized metal canisters. People who are using nitrous oxide often inhale the gas through balloons or other mediums. Inhaling nitrous oxide directly from the canister is dangerous because the gas is under high pressure and comes out extremely cold, which can damage the throat and lungs, stop breathing or slow the heart to a dangerous level.

What are the short-term effects of nitrous oxide?

The short-term effects of nitrous oxide use vary for each person. It often produces a sense of dissociation of the mind from the body (a sense of floating) and distorted perceptions.

Nitrous oxide affects everyone differently, based on:

Amount taken
Person’s size, weight and health
Whether the person is used to taking it
Whether other drugs are taken around the same time

The following effects may be felt almost immediately and can last for a few minutes:

Euphoria
Numbness of the body
Sedation
Giddiness
Uncontrolled laughter
Uncoordinated movements
Blurred vision
Confusion
Dizziness and/or light-headedness
Sweating
Feeling unusually tired or weak

If a large amount of nitrous oxide is inhaled it can produce:

Loss of blood pressure
Fainting

Can you overdose on nitrous oxide?

Inhaling nitrous oxide can be fatal in rare instances if you don’t get enough oxygen (known as hypoxia) or a loss in blood pressure that results in a heart attack.