Laughing Gas (Nitrous Oxide, Balloons, NOS) - Origin, Effect And Dangers - Doctor Explains

Do you know about Nitrous oxide. This might not ring a bell, but it is the chemical name of the substance in those balloons people are inhaling during a rave: Laughing gas.

In todays video, we will explore its origin, unravel its effect on our body and discuss its impact on your health. Find the playlists here:

The origin of Nitrous Oxide:
It was first synthesized in 1772 by the English chemist Joseph Priestley. By 1799 it was the latest craze for the British upper class. By 1863 it had come into general use as an anaesthetic for surgery. And it continued to be used as a recreational drugs from a gas cylinder or tank.

How popular is it?
All together, this makes nitrous oxide the second most popular recreational drug after cannabis. In 2014 Global Drug Survey found that about 29,4% of all Americans and 38,6% of all Brits have used nitrous oxide at least once in their life.

What is Nitrous oxide?
It is commonly known as laughing gas, nitro, NOS, nangs, whippet, hippy crack, buzz bomb and balloons. It is a chemical compound, with the chemical formula N2O. At room temperature it is a colourless, non-flammable gas, with a slightly sweet scent and taste.

How does it work?
It travel through your mouth and will fill your lungs. There it is absorbed by your alveoli. From your lungs it enters the bloodstream and binds to multiple receptors in you central nervous system.
It anesthetic effects come from binding to the NMDA receptor. Nitrous oxide also binds to the GABA-receptor, which has a inhibiting effect on most brain pathways, creating a anxiety reducing and calming effect.
Nitrous oxide also leads to the stimulation of your sympathetic nervous system, contributing to a higher blood pressure, more cardiac output, a stimulated cerebral blood flow and an increased intracranial pressure.

The effects?
- The potential “positive ”short term effects are feelings of euphoria, relaxation and calmness, giggles and laughter and hallucinations. Where you hear or see things, which aren’t really there.
- It can also cause some “negative” short term effects; like a severe headache, dizziness, numbness of your body, sedation, uncoordinated movements, blurred vision, confusion, sweating, fatigue, feelings of paranoia and it can prevent you from thinking straight.

Some practical tips:
- As with anything in life, moderation is key.
- Furthermore, only use nitrous oxide from a balloon, this is safe, prevents a frostbite and helps you to dose it better.
- It is also advised to not use it alone or in a dangerous or isolated area.
- Don’t put a plastic bag over your head or impede your breathing in any way.
- Make sure the nitrous oxide does not come into contact with flames or cigarettes.
- Don’t combine it with alcohol or any other drugs.
- And don’t stand or dance while inhaling, as this might increase your risk for passing out.

- Disclaimer: this video and the comments are meant purely informational! This is not medical advice! If you are looking for medical advice always contact your own doctor. -

Literature:
1: Kaar SJ, Ferris J, Waldron J, Devaney M, Ramsey J, Winstock AR. Up: The rise of nitrous oxide abuse. An international survey of contemporary nitrous oxide use. J Psychopharmacol. 2016 Apr;30(4):395-401.
2: Knuf K, Maani CV. Nitrous Oxide. Nitrous Oxide. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan.
3: van Amsterdam J, Nabben T, van den Brink W. Recreational nitrous oxide use: Prevalence and risks. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2015 Dec;73(3):790-6.
4: Talk To Frank. Nitrous oxide. Frank. 2023.
5: ADF. Nitrous oxide. ADF. 2021.

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[immaxbtw]

Lived in an area where guys all around me were doing ketamine and i got addicted to it before i even left high school and only got worse later in my life. Me and my homies were regularly snorting cocaine until some chick introduced me into laughing gas and it only went downhill…. I was horrifically addicted to LG and coke and I was also doing PCP and xanax. Been sober for quite a while and im planning on keeping going!

[sunjaydetroit]

Techno music is really next level on this food grade 😂

[jean-paulngabu]

Thanks, I like all your videos. Good job! 👏Moreover, one of the videos you made on lamotrigines really interested me. Indeed, can these drugs also be used for migraines? If so, how often should it be taken?

[ericlegatski]

Thanks for the technical information. Like most drugs one hit is not going to carry much risk and might even offer some benefits depending on the individual and context. Problem is, I have never seen anyone just do one balloon of nitrous ever, and the negative effects are very dependent on the concentration and length of exposure. People basically do as much as they have. The difference between doing one baloon and an entire medical canister on one sitting is huge. I'm sure huffing an entire canister is going to have some severe neurological and cognitive consequences.

[danielleberrydb]

Thanks so much. I was concerned considering B12 deficiency. You answered my questions

[ericmiller]

Dude not sure if your using a mix of lav and boom or a room mic. But if you treat the room with acoustic treatment. You won't have that reverb or in a tin can sound

[XXXlisaXXX]

Great informative video. I’m screwed because I’m having trouble with the moderation part. 😞

[GracieGrr]

I Just Gotta Say Im 2 Minutes In, On Nitrous And Homies Accent Is Sending Me Lol

[Bee_eq]

Today i used laughing gas for the first time at the dentist cuz I had to do a root canal and it made me soo dizzy!
At the first few minutes I was okay and relaxed and then after like 5-10 mins I started dreaming that I was flying and I felt that my soul came out of my body and started flying I was in another world
It felt soo weird.. I thought my soul came out of my body
And bro it was the worst experience I had ever had!!! A nightmare
The dentist was like open ur mouth she didn't know I was in another world and she gave me soooo much nitrate oxide
I was sooo scared broo I started crying so badly thinking my soul left my body rip me
This was the dentist's fault since she put alot of nitrate oxide and she didn't make it lower
She didn't know I think but I told her after and then it was all okay!!
Then she adjusted the nitrate oxide and it was sooo much better!!! I felt so relaxed even tho I was so nervous in the first 😊

[vxczyle]

I thought this was the stuff you out in cars and make it go vroom vroom

[marcust]

Thanks for this public service. I just realized it is sold over the counter in USA. I was curious even though it is unlikely I would try it.

[milliybro]

so no request against taking the drug?

[jxqngip]

I use to put 3 in a balloon and breath in and hold until I could hear a voice screaming "no, stop!" over end over then I would start breathing really fast into the balloon and I would pass out and have the maddest trips! seen like 2 of my past lives and stuff was super visual O.O but psychosis kicked in and it became less fun over the following months so I stopped and now sometimes I still feel bad sometimes because I couldn't help my past-self.

[HouseOwl]

Growing Up I Heard Drugs Were Expensive, IDK About That But I Must Be Rich IF Im ALWAYS F**Ked UP🤣🤔😮‍💨🥺

[Swissway]

Hi, wHAT ARE THE RISKA TO THE FETUS? dOES IT CAUSE OPPOSTOSIS IN THE FETUS?

[The_MissJarvis]

When you combine opiate addiction and all those other things come on now so many people are going to abuse that drug. and when doctors are using it for sedation, it gives people the feeling it's OK. Literally the feeling.

[starlightart]

Ik dacht al dat je Nederlands was gebaseerd op kwakzalvers

[jonardon]

Came here while taking a massive rip of a massive balloon, but really to learn so my question is, how frequent is how often actually when talking about possible negative side effects? Me and my friends do use laughing gas from time to time but prob not more than 4 to 5 sessions per year. One single sesion could be a lot of it tho, half a tank between three people and mixing with cocaine sometimes alcohol. I know, I am pretty reckless but that's why i wanna learn more.

[garterhead]

I wouldn’t say it’s cheap it’s. $50 for 615 g here at local smoke shop

[Zeeboklown]

worse thing ever was the headshop owner telling me, "hey, u know u can buy a tank instead of the little goddam i wish i never knew that.