Blog Report

Monday, March 9, 2009

Effects of Nitrous Oxide

From a blog post: “Nitrous Oxide (Dinitrogen, Monoxide, Dinitrogen Oxide, Entonox)":
  • The substance disrupts learning ability. In a typical experiment volunteers who inhaled a low dose of the drug showed worsened reaction time, worsened ability to do arithmetic, and general sedation accompanied by nervous system depression (as opposed to stimulation).
  • Interference with driving ability has been noted one-half hour after a dose.
  • Short-term exposure can cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and breathing difficulty.
  • Some recreational users quickly inhale as much nitrous oxide as possible and hold their breath. This technique causes a sudden change of pressure inside the lungs and can rupture small interior structures needed for breathing.
  • Blood pressure can go up or down, depending on dosage. Users can lose consciousness, which may be hazardous in a recreational context due to falls or inability to shut off the gas source.
  • The substance deactivates vitamin B12, an effect that can cause numbness and difficulty in moving arms and legs.
  • Other results can be impotence and involuntary discharge of urine and feces.
  • Nitrous oxide interferes with blood clotting, and long-term exposure has caused blood abnormalities.
  • Persons with chronic industrial exposure have more kidney and liver disease than usual.
  • Nitrous oxide can become very cold when released as a gas from a pressurized container, cold enough to cause frostbite upon meeting skin or throat.
  • Breathing nitrous oxide without an adequate supply of oxygen can be fatal; a little in a closed space or a lot from a face mask can suffocate a user.
  • Although nitrous oxide is called nonflammable, when inhaled it can seep into the abdominal cavity and bowels, mixing with body gases to create a flammable combination. If ignited the result would be like setting off an explosive inside the body; the danger is real enough that surgical personnel administeringnitrous oxide as an anesthetic have been warned about it.


UPDATE:

Check out this website or this website for more research about nitrous oxide abuse.

55 comments:

Anonymous said...

First time I did it it sounded as though I was dying. I could hear breaths like thunder in my ears but couldn't feel a thing except my whole body jolting with my heart and music in the background like drum and bass underwater. I've never felt so free, never so vunerable. I've never felt so alive and wrecked

Anonymous said...

^^^^^Right on bro... thats how its supposed to feel.

Anonymous said...

According to this list, inhaling nitrous will cause you to shit yourself and then explode, laughing the entire time.

Really, this list needs some external references or at least a link to the wikipedia page.

Anonymous said...

i'm a regular user of nitrous oxide and every time i use it i can hear repetitive sounds so clearly and they sound so peaceful. almost as if i can feel the sounds go through me. im on a euphoric sound trip. also my body feels so light like i can lift off the ground and fly away. someone seriously needs to list the POSITIVE effects of this drug. peaceee to all who agree.

Anonymous said...

Needs to be regulated. Positive effects??? Only positive that comes from it is whipped cream, or for medical procedures - like it was intended. Not for substance abuse. I think the negative negates your euphoric feelings mate - have a wank instead and then go back to bed and sleep your life away. How's that for a trip? Peaceeee

Anonymous said...

I usually do 6 boxes in a sitting at least once a week, I'm 42 and can report no ill effects at all other than like all drugs the effect weakens with repeated use. Sure it make you dopey for an hour afterwards, but otherwise "nangs" are great!

Anonymous said...

Are any of you idiots employed? Sounds like you are all a bunch losers! Get a life!

Anonymous said...

Good on ya

Anonymous said...

HAHAHA! Thank you! I have ten little canisters in my drawer. Meant for whipping cream, and nothing else of course, and I saw an example of abuse on the show A Thousand Ways to Die. So I decided to look it up. And now that I've read what it can do, I want to throw the canisters out. Haha. Kind of scary.

Anonymous said...

I know a young 21 y/o who just died using this stuff. People it is lethal..... Think of his poor parents. He was thier only son..... If you dont love yourself think of the people who care for you....

Anonymous said...

Do any of you realize people really do DIE from nitrous! My best friend died in 2007 from nitrous & his parents found him in the morning, dead! I wonder all the time did he want to turn off the nitrous but he waited too long & then he just became helpless? I understand nitrous is a good feeling but shouldn't ever be used unless your at a dental appt ect! Seriously my best friend was here one day & dead the next from nitrous! Please don't leave your family or friends behind because your inhaling nitrous you ARE NOT INVINCIBLE... Nitrous kills!

Anonymous said...

i think for the people use did this is stupid, nitrous oxide is for boost :D, if you want to get high smoke weed, you wont die high is about 15-20 min

Anonymous said...

Ya nitrous is fun to do I did almost every day for weeks with my bf But recently we both notice numbness in or hands n toes pretty scary It's been almost to weeks since we stopped n the numbness has not gone away Even got worst Not feeling ur hands feet or lags Bf can't feel his back
It's not worth it Still don't now if my body will go back to normal without numbness

Anonymous said...

I couldn't agree more. I use cannabis and other substances irregularly, but the way this guy is talking, his positive affects are being high like an idiot and unsuccessfully thinking he can fly. This shit along with many other evil drugs are killing and eating away at what was once a good friend of mine. Nobody should do this stupid shit, if you feel otherwise Youre probably being consumed by fucked up drugs.

Anonymous said...

Spoken like a true addict.

Anonymous said...

I took this laughing gas a couple weeks back at wake stock where this couple were going around tents asking people if they wanted to buy it. So i got a double balloon which was definitely more than i needed! I was on weed and cat at the time, so they probably interfered with the side effects. The effects i got from taking laughing gas wasn't pleasant; instantly i could hear my heart pounding so hard through my ears, with everybody around me going red and looking like aliens. Then i started hyperventilating and seeing sheep which was ironic due to me being at wake stock in wales. After about a minute, the sound of my heart beat went away and i just started laughing for 2 minutes straight. Personally i didn't think it was worth it with regards to the high and also the cost, so i wouldn't advise anybody to have it as your wasting time and money. Just go halves with someone on a 10 bag of bud instead of spending 5 pound on a double balloon of laughing gas... You get a nice high and it also lasts. PEACE.

Anonymous said...

everything in moderation, folks! don't wanna die from nitrous? don't hook up to a big ass tank when unattended. no disrespect to our fallen friends, but that is operator error. yes, it is dangerous. It also can propel you to the highest heights and have you back down in time for dinner.
Not my favorite drug, not even in the top 5, but it is to be experienced...
If you dont wanna end up like those spaced-out, aggro Nitrous Mafia fucks at the festivals, don't do it nonstop every day.
If you did alcohol like that, you'd probably get retarded and die JUST as quickly.

Anonymous said...

I did it once, and once only.
It was and amazing quick high. I was sucking it from balloons. Once I noticed my surroundings and seen people literally falling out on the floor I knew I had to stop. My friend was speaking to me and his eyes would roll back. When you took a big hit, your voice depended. It was freaky. I remember coming home a couple hours later and being nauseas. I was lying in bed thinking I was literally going to die. My heart was racing and the nausea would not go away. It was very painful.

Anonymous said...

Some people are allergic to peanuts, some are allergic to bees And some are allergic to Nitrous Oxide. And if you are one of those, and you don't know until too late, you are vey likely to Die or be left with No meaningful brain function. Don't be an idiot- The Shit Applies to You

Anonymous said...

If I was you Id steer clear of this stuff, I used it and it partially paralized my lower body. Its no fun bein a cripple trust me.

Unknown said...

Its great when you dont abuse it

Anonymous said...

People wouldn't take drugs if their wasn't a benefit, be it medicinal or recreational. Why ride a motor bike if it is so dangerous? Because motorcyclists enjoy it. So calling Nitrous Oxide users stupid is really quite unhelpful. I direct you to Dr. Nutt's website to give you the most up to date information on this particular drug. Anecdotal evidence is not sufficient to make such claims about the risks of taking this drug. http://www.drugscience.org.uk/drugs-info/nitrous-oxide/

Anonymous said...

Hi, yea I've did Nos every day (average 5 canisters per day) for a few weeks and I've noticed that I can't quite move my hands as well as I could before.....before though, they were even like twitching without my control - that's stopped now at least. I would say that there's hope though - I've read a couple of reports of people who've not been able to walk properly and then 6 months after no nos they're completely fine again. Can you let me know if by now you've fully recovered or not?
Cheers

Anonymous said...

i'm depressed and addicted to nitrous... what do i do?

Anonymous said...

Smoke weed and stop nos. By the way if you think positive you can trick your mind in to being happy. Saying your depressed and thinking it only makes it worse. Oh and dont go on the meds for depression unless you like being dumbed down.

Anonymous said...

A brilliant young PhD candidate at Stanford, MIT undergraduate diploma, just died in January from nitrous oxide. Twenty three years old, with only the most amazing future in front of him. Ashes. His parents, of course, are devastated, as are all of us who knew him.

Anonymous said...

I can see why people would abuse nitrous. I had it once for a tooth extraction and it was a really incredible feeling. First I started cracking up laughing. Then all my fears and anxieties went away and I was completely relaxed. Still conscious and not saying weird things, coherent, but carefree. It was the one time in my life when my head wasn't racing, thinking about ten things at once. I was just mellow for the first time ever.

I'm glad it's not easily accessible. It would be VERY easy to get addicted to. I've never done any drugs, and I probably would get addicted to this. That's a scary thought!

Anonymous said...

Gas is cool, addictive- maybe psychologically but not really. I've done several g bottles (18690 liters), and no side affects after 2 days without. Once or twice it's given me headaces for a day or so. Feels warm, nice, music with bass is excellent, like it says above it's like thinking of 10 things at once, but all far from reality. I rekon it's like tripping but really fast, before I can think about my trip I'm already on the next 4. Definitely not enough time to get on a downer. I love it, but do it with friends. It puts ya to sleep standing up. The worst effect I got was a broken nose (from floorboards), and a gashed scalp (door frame). Go hard I say, peace, love, brown rice.

Anonymous said...

For me personally, the expensive one or two minute high isn't worth all these crazy ass possible side effects. There are too many other options available to achieve a longer, better feeling of euphoria. I obviously don't hate on anyone who does it, it's just... well, I don't get it. Be smart and safe friends but have fun doing it!! YEE HAAAAWWWWW!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I've used nitrous on and off since the early 1990's and I love the stuff. In my opinion "Lauging gas" does not properly describe the stuff. While being about as antireligious as one can be, I'd describe it as "God gas" or "revelation gas". Sure, if you do whippets and don't have a proper breathing technique it will only make you giggle and feel dizzy. You need to hold the gas inside your lungs as long as you possibly can. The time window between "just giggles" and "ultimate revelation" is just a few seconds.

The most important rule is: never swallow the gas! I did this once and that was a hellish experience. First I felt nauseous as hell, then the abdominal pain kicked in. I could feel the stuff literally "whipping" the contents of my stomach and couldn't do anything but lay on the floor for 2-3 hours waiting for the eventual diarrhea to ease the pain.

Typically I only have a few N2O sessions per year. In a single session I typically use 10-24 8g cannisters, the biggest amount has been 72 cannisters. I know people who use 600 cannisters over a single weekend and do it several times a month, but I would never recommend this to anyone. For the religious experience, you really don't need more than a few cannisters if you do it properly.

Nitrous experience is very "musical". Even elevator lounge music will sound great and hilarious, but for me the most mindblowing experience was listening to John Coltrane Live in Seattle while doing 72 cannisters of nitrous. To me, Coltrane sounds pretty chaotic while sober, but doing it while under the influence of cannabis or nitrous is a completely different thing. You are cast into some kind of 4-dimensional hyperspace within which every note is logically positioned.

However, the musical experience is just a sideshow. Once you get to the revelatory level, you don't really hear much more than what I would describe as "the echo of light". UsuallyI close my eyes as this helps me to concentrate on the mental effects. At this level, I always get the feeling of everything being connected in a cyclical manner - everything being simultaneously one and the opposite of one. Number one is an essential part of the experience. Sounds crazy, but if you've been there you will know what I mean.

Even with the low usage amounts, I do think there are some after effects. You will feel a bit dizzy and relaxed for a few hours, but I also think that the 1-2 days after using nitrous my energy levels are lower than normal. Because of this, I never do nitrous if I know that I need to get a lot of things done in the following days.

Anonymous said...

So very agree with every thing from last post.
People dieing from this stuff are overdoing it by using a continues gas cylinder.
Yeah don't swallow the gas that will make you very sick and also one of the worst NOS experiences was while we where all drinking, not long after almost every one had spewed there guts up . Guess the 2 chemicals don't play well.

Anonymous said...

Natural selection.
Used safely it is safe.
Used recklessly people can die.
Dont be reckless.
Get a sitter.
Peace.

Anonymous said...

Just this morning my neighbor has passed away from this fool's high. She was only 31 years old; smart, hard working, aware and friendly. She had just finished her degree at college three weeks ago. She was a loving young lady with a very bright future ahead of her. She will be sadly missed by all of us. Our prayers are with you.

Anonymous said...

People have described the great euphoric feeling they get from nitrous. But it is impossible to describe the horrible agony that your family and friends will feel when you die from using this shit. I will never see my beautiful daughter again. My heart is shattered into a million pieces and our family has been destroyed. Don't think it can't happen to you.

Anonymous said...

My friends do this every weekend. 16 year olds dammit!>:(

Anonymous said...

Nitrous oxide is not a particularly dangerous way of getting high. I see there are some stories of people having died from its use on here, and I'm so sorry to those who know someone who has suffered such a tragedy. However, these are anecdotal experiences and really don't say much about the dangers of no2 consumption. The mere fact that there exist some examples of some people being hurt or even killed from no2 is no different than the fact that many, many people die every day in automobile accidents. Some research into the statitistics would be needed here, but as an educated guess I would bet the likelyhood of being killed whilst driving your car is greater than that of being killed by this relatively begnign gas.most often people end up suffocating because they have fallen asleep with the mask feeding straight gas into their lungs. Its a very bad idea to use a mask that can stay attached and continue the flow of gas once one is unconscious. Its also a very bad idea to drive while tired, or to smoke in bed. I see some people getting very aggressive and insulting towards people saying they enjoy using no2 for recreation. I also see assumptions being made about their intelligence and employment status. I think these people should examine their motivations and reasons why their reactions are so harsh and try to decide if they are having a reaction to facts, or emotion. If you are truly intellectually superior to those who use the gas recreationally then I would assume you could come up with a real argument as to why you think you should impose your will on others. "You're stupid and probably unemployed" is about as far from a rational response as I could imagine. There are lots of valid reasons people turn to drugs, and lots of valid reasons they should try to avoid drugs. I see a lot of people not contributing to either side of that discussion.

Anonymous said...

Both my sons are dead. Both abused nitrous oxide, along with other "self-medications". One went paranoid schizophrenic and died by suicide. The other was clinically depressed and accidentally overdosed on prescription meds + nitrous oxide. He passed out partying with a friend and never woke up. My 11 y.o. granddaughter likes to snuff helium balloons & whipped cream cans. She doesn't know it contributed to her daddy's death. Both young men were bright, creative, good-looking and popular college graduates. Long term use/abuse of drugs (including nitrous oxide) messed up their brains They couldn't handle their stressors and anxieties after college.

Get your highs on exercise, interactions with other people, studying nature, helping others. Find a reason for living. I don't want to lose you, too. I know it's not easy. I'm a mess now too from grief, but keep trying. Nitrous oxide will not help in the long run.

Anonymous said...

I did a balloon last friday at a big party my friend through. The whole time Im seeing all these people huffing these balloons and so of coarse I was curious to what it was and did. I was told the effect lasts only fifteen seconds and its like helium. So , me who has never done any drug other weed when I was fifteen decided id try it....bigg mistake. The firat three times was GREAT I loved it. Then a few hours later and a couple more keg stamds later I go back to the room and decide to do It again. To this day I dont remember at all what happened. I woke up on the ground. Apparently I blacked out and when I hit the floor my head went through the wall and I was ciezering ! Woke up and was clueless on my I was on the floor and my head throbbing. Dont do it guys. Definitely not worth it. Ive been to the er twice due to my head injury and my breathing and shortness of breath.

Unknown said...

This NOZ sound like bad stuff. I have NO desire to try it-- especially not after reading the horror stories on this site about all the side effects, injuries, and deaths. I give my condolences to those who lost loved ones due to nitrous oxide abuse. Thank you for being transparent and warning everyone else this very important point-- DON'T DO IT. If no one else believes you about how dangerous it is to inhale this stuff--I do, and you can COUNT ME OUT. Users, quit while you're still alive and healthy enough to make that choice!!

Anonymous said...

God bless.

Anonymous said...

It's not NOS... that is a company. But I love nitrous, I run a 300 shot on a stroked small block chev. This magical substance is not to be played with out knowledge and respect. Just as with an engine your body must know what you are putting in it to keep it healthy and powerful. Just so you know a adrenaline rush is the best high.

Anonymous said...

I'm in the 1% too.
Have been using about 3 to 6 boxes day, for the last month and cannot stop.
What help is available? N2o is not even considered physically addictive.. yet I'm typing this with numb fingers and thinking about purchasing another box after the $240 that i've already spent on bulbs this week (sorry savings!)
Most people will not become addicted, because they're doing it wrong.
Certain techniques and combinations are required to reach nirvana, and even though I have probably caused irreversible brain damage (not to mention the hallucinations) I still don't regret a single huff.

Anonymous said...

My 36 yr old son is dead from using nitrous.
He loved the feeling from it too. So much that be continued to do them until May 20. Found dead on his bed with 2 cases if whippits by his head. You want to know how a parent feels when they find their child dead? No, no one wants to know how that feels. It is the worse feeling for the rest of my life. But, I am sure anyone who does nitrous, think it is harmless. It can cause cardiac arrest with first use. Sound safe to you? I am disgusted that these nitrous cannisters are sold legally in Smoke Shops. WTF?

Anonymous said...

b12 will help some with the numbness and the best way to stop is stop buying them and keep your self away from them

Anonymous said...

I did noz 3 days in a row with my boyfriend and since doing that I feel physically detached from my body. Like I'm watching my life from another perspective.! It's like the feeling you get when you're on noz but I haven't done it in 2 days and it's scary and idk what to do its bothering me has this ever happened to anyone I'm really scared

Anonymous said...

Agree

Unknown said...

Work out. From now on working out is your drug... It'll be hard for the first 3 weeks but after that you'll be hooked

Anonymous said...

Ya. I went through 10 lbs liquid nitrous from a tank. About 50 pounds in a week albeit inefficiently. I supplement with vitamin b12 and have only noticed cloudy head, diarrhea, and paranoia. Nitrous oxide is considered safe when used properly. The WRONG way to do it is unfortunately the most fun and dangerous (hitting 3 lungfulls without breathing fresh air in between). Don't do this. The 'revelations' ppl speak of happen when you pass out in the middle of a thought. Hypoxia from lack of breathing can cause many problems. When consumed with alcohol nausea is almost inevitable.

Its an anaesthetic and dissociative. Expect to experience both relaxation followed by confusion or 'revelatory' conclusions when u come back to. Never hit directly from a tank or put a bag over your head. Uh, if you passout with a bag on your head, you'll die (hence keep out of reach of children). So let's not be children.
Yes, this stuff can be addictive and the majority of side effects seem to be related to NOT BREATHING in between hits. While holding a breath of nitrous may give you revelations or out of body experiences, it's NOT worth the risks. Paranoia, aggression, and passive aggressive language seem to be the greatest acute side effects of overconsumption, atleast for me. They call it laughing gas because it loostens your tongue. Expect to lose your inhibitions like alcohol but with more confusion. Don't do it

Anonymous said...

I know someone who is dead from inhalants & she thought it wouldn't happen to her either. She was found 5 days after locking herself in her house like she did a thousand times to get high... hazmat had to come...house FULL of flies, her lungs ruptured - SHE ruptured. She was so beautiful & sweet-natured. I can't imagine my child dying but it happens just like this. People PLEASE don't do these things it is not the first time I have known this to happen. This is not a normal drug to even use to sit around and get high on, people do such horrible things to themselves and others. I have cheated death myself many times in the past not with inhalants but just about everything else - in mass quantities. I semi-survived and see young people with so much more stupid things at their fingertips to try. The effects of brain damage & death are VERY permanent, I have learned. Kinda like a tattoo - a constant reminder of a temporary feeling. We get those in different forms throughout life. Some of us are just lucky we don't get the MOST miserable reminders, others not so much.

Anonymous said...

How many whippets are necessary to cause death?

Anonymous said...

My brother was 23 years old at that time and he is a drag racer like me in the 1/4 Mile. Building our engines up to 800 and 900 hp. And nitrous oxide and is a very powerful horse power booster for vehicle motors..
And they found my brother in his home with the bottle of nitrous oxide attached to small mask that covered his nose and mouth I think,,, and the valve on the bottle of nitrous oxide and was close tight,,, but the police found him dead in his house when he did not report to work that morning... Even a little bit of that stuff will kill you.
So while you are having so much fun doing this,,, one day you will Not wake up...

Unknown said...

To all that have lost loved ones to Inhalant Abuse, please consider sharing your very important story at our site http://www.consumered.org/personal-stories. You could help save a life.

Unknown said...

As a reminder: Children and teens should not be doing ANY drugs while their brains are still developing. So stay away from this drug and all others drugs and alcohol as well. Wait until you are past 25 years old to experiment with drugs and use alcohol.

The rest of this post is for those who are already using Nitrous Oxide and need accurate information...

This post + comments contains A LOT of inaccurate information on Nitrous Oxide. The original info in the blog has tons of mis-information and lame scare tactics. And I'm seeing A LOT of fear-mongering from people who don't know what they're talking about.

Yes. Nitrous Oxide can be "deadly & dangerous" - in fact ALL drugs are "deadly & dangerous" but only if you don't know what you're doing. If you're going to experiment with drugs - do your research.

The human body NEEDS oxygen. So take a breath between hits.

Yes. Nitrous can be awesome, but you will soon realize, it can be VERY ADDICTIVE. Be careful. It's used as an anesthesia for a reason. It has the same pain-killing properties as morphine. Nitrous oxide bonds to opioid receptors in the brain and you can get hooked like you would any other opiate-like substance.

If you are using nitrous, you NEED to take your B-12 vitamins or you WILL get nerve damage and get numbness. If you have numbness take TONS of B-12 vitamins until it goes away. You can't overdose on B-12. Just take a bunch right away and go to the emergency room IMMEDIATELY. Your body is having a terrible reaction and you need medical attention.

For more details on nitrous addiction and my experience with N2O, you can visit my blog on Nitrous here: http://n2oadvice.blogspot.com/2016/01/withdrawals-from-nitrous-oxide-are-real.html

Unknown said...

In response to the anonymous question "how many whippets are necessary to cause death?"- Inhalant abuse can kill the first time! Please visit our website for more information http://www.consumered.org/learn/inhalant-abuse/dangers-effects

Anonymous said...

How long it took for the numbness to go away.??