Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous Oxide (N2O)

Street name

Laughing gas, Hippy-crack

General Info

Nitrous Oxide (N2O) is a simple gas that, when inhaled, causes rapid pain relief, euphoria, mild sedation, and sometimes psychedelic dissociation. It has been used in dentistry since the mid 1800s and recreationally since the late 1700s when it earned the name laughing gas because of its tendency to cause laughter in those who inhale it. In the U.K Nitrous Oxide is most commonly seen at music festivals and free parties.

Nitrous is most frequently used in the form of ‘whipped cream chargers’, small metal cartridges which are 'cracked' either into a whipped cream canister or with a special cracker into a balloon for inhalation. A single cartridge is between one and three lungs full of gas. One or two lung fulls are generally enough for a short nitrous experience, although many people choose to use many cartridges throughout the course of a night.

U.K based websites sell boxes of 24 ‘whipped cream’ chargers (full of nitrous oxide) for about £5 - £10. At festivals commercial suppliers will often charge £2.50 for a balloon full of the gas.

In the UK possession of nitrous for non-inhalant use is legal for those over 18. It is illegal to inhale nitrous oxide though this is rarely enforced and it is illegal to sell nitrous to those under 18. Nitrous charger sales over the Internet make the age limits difficult to enforce. 

When inhaled, Nitrous generally reaches full effects within a few seconds. Effects from a single inhalation of Nitrous Oxide last a few minutes. Most recreational Nitrous use consists of multiple inhalations over a period of time.

In medical applications, Nitrous is dispensed in combination with Oxygen. Inhaling Nitrous alone is not required to get full effects; the effects are the result of the nitrous in the system, not of oxygen deprivation. It is important for users to take breaths of air between hits.

A handful of people in the U.S. have suffocated when the balloon or bag used to inhale the nitrous stays on the person's face as they fade from consciousness.

Effects

• Causes rapid pain relief
• Euphoria  
• Mild sedation  
• Sometimes psychedelic dissociation effects
• Hangover

Risks

• Nitrous has gained the nickname Hippy-crack because it lends itself to repeated and compulsive use for some people
• Accidents occurring to users whilst under its effects
• Heavy Nitrous use can lead to a depletion of vitamin B12. This can cause numbing of fine nerve endings, especially noticeable in the fingers and toes. Supplements of B12 may reduce the chances of this occurring in heavy users. Shots of B12 are given as a treatment for advanced depletion. If left untreated B12 deficiency can lead to long-term damage.

CLASS

Unclassified