NOS – Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is a colorless gas that is commonly used for sedation and pain relief but is also used by people to feel intoxicated or high. It is commonly used by dentists and medical professionals to sedate patients undergoing minor medical procedures. It is also a food additive when used as a propellant for whipped cream and is used in the automotive industry to enhance engine performance. Nitrous oxide is classified as a dissociative anaesthetic and has been found to produce dissociation of the mind from the body (a sense of floating), distorted perceptions and in rare cases, visual hallucinations.

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Common Names

  • Laughing gas
  • Nitro
  • N2O
  • NOS
  • Nangs
  • Whippet
  • Hippy Crack
  • Buzz Bomb
  • Balloons

How is it used?

The gas is inhaled, typically by discharging nitrous gas cartridges (bulbs or whippets) into another object, such as a balloon, or directly into the mouth. Inhaling nitrous oxide produces a rapid rush of euphoria and feeling of floating or excitement for a short period of time.

NOS – Nitrous Oxide Overdose

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

  • Loss of blood pressure
  • Fainting
  • Heart attack
Inhaling nitrous oxide can be fatal if you don’t get enough oxygen, which is known as hypoxia.

Health & Safety

When inhaling directly from tanks or whippets (bulbs), the gas is intensely cold (-40C degrees) and can cause frostbite to the nose, lips and throat (including vocal cords). The gas is also under constant pressure, it can cause ruptures in lung tissue when inhaled directly from these containers. Releasing the nitrous oxide into a balloon helps to warm the gas and normalise the pressure before inhaling.

People can also harm themselves if they use faulty gas dispensers, which may explode. Dispensing several gas canisters consecutively with one cracker (a handheld device used to ‘crack’ a nitrous oxide bulb/whippet) can also cause cold burns to the hands.

Side Effects of
NOS – Nitrous Oxide

There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug always carries risk.

The effects of taking NOS – Nitrous Oxide with other drugs including over-the-counter or prescribed medications can be unpredictable and dangerous.

NOS – Nitrous Oxide affects everyone differently, based on:

  • The amount taken
  • A person’s size, weight and health
  • Whether the person is used to taking it
  • Whether other drugs are taken around the same time

Common Effects:

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
  • Sudden death

Long-term effects:

  • Memory loss
  • Vitamin B12 depletion (long-term depletion causes brain and nerve damage)
  • Ringing or buzzing in the ears
  • Incontinence
  • Numbness in the hands or feet
  • Limb spasms
  • Potential birth defects (if consumed during pregnancy)
  • Weakened immune system
  • Disruption to reproductive systems
  • Depression
  • Psychological dependence
  • Psychosis

Evidence

There is no current evidence demonstrating that mixing nitrous oxide with other substances increases health risks. However, it is possible that combining the gas with stimulants and other drugs places additional pressure on the heart, increases blood pressure and may disrupt heart rate. Anecdotal evidence suggests that combining nitrous oxide with other drugs such as cannabis, ketamine, LSD, magic mushroom and salvia can cause intense dissociation.

MIXING NITROUS OXIDE AND ALCOHOL CAN CAUSE:

  • Confusion
  • Feeling heavy or sluggish
  • Reduced concentration
  • Loss of body control

Mixing NOS with other drugs