What Does Laughing Gas Do to You?

Have you ever wondered why people become giggly during some dental procedures?

The answer is a little something called “laughing gas,” otherwise known as nitrous oxide.

Although it’s not exclusively used in dental clinics, nitrous oxide can be found in many medical settings due to its anaesthetic properties. Unfortunately, it has also become a popular (and dangerous) recreational substance.

Because it’s legally available for food preparation, it’s also accessible for recreational use.

Nitrous oxide is especially popular among young people and is sometimes referred to as hippie crack due to its widespread use at parties and festivals. Recreational use is on the rise, particularly among adolescents and young adults.

Find out more about what laughing gas can do to our bodies, and why it’s dangerous in the context of recreational use.

 

What Is Laughing Gas?

Nitrous oxide (also known as laughing gas and happy gas) is a non-flammable gas with a slightly sweet odour and taste.

It has no colour, so you can’t see it. Outside of medical settings, it’s also used as a food additive and preservative. You can find it in whipped cream chargers, often called whippits, and it’s even used to boost engine performance in racing.

In medical settings, nitrous oxide is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a mask, with careful monitoring until the procedure is complete.

Recreational users, however, typically release the gas into a balloon from a whipped cream charger or tank before inhaling it. The balloon helps warm the gas and normalise pressure, reducing the risk of cold burns or tissue damage.

Inhaling directly from a charger, tank, or bulb is extremely dangerous because the gas is intensely cold and can cause frostbite to the lips, throat, or vocal cords.

Using handheld devices (like crackers) to open nitrous oxide bulbs can also be risky, especially if the device is faulty or used improperly. Inhaling from plastic bags over the head is even more dangerous, as it can cause suffocation or death.

It’s also important to avoid using nitrous oxide near naked flames or flammable substances, as explosions and fires can occur.

Improper gas flow or applying constant pressure during inhalation can lead to serious health hazards, including loss of consciousness or injury.

 

History of Recreational Use

Nitrous oxide has a surprisingly long history as a recreational drug.

Its story begins in the late 18th century, when English chemist Joseph Priestley first discovered the gas. Not long after, Humphry Davy, a pioneering scientist, began experimenting with it and quickly realised its euphoric effects.

Davy even hosted “laughing gas parties,” where guests would inhale the gas from silk bags, often resulting in fits of laughter and exhilaration.

Over the centuries, recreational nitrous oxide use has persisted and evolved. Today, it’s often known as a nang or whippet and is popular at parties, festivals, and other social gatherings.

The gas is typically inhaled from balloons, making it easy to use and widely accessible. However, the risks are significant. Inhaling nitrous oxide can cause nerve damage, immune system disruption, and even death.

Despite its reputation as a “harmless party drug,” health professionals continue to warn about its dangers.

In fact, in 2020, nitrous oxide was the second most commonly used recreational drug among 16–24-year-olds in the U.K.

 

Medical Uses of Laughing Gas

Nitrous oxide also plays a vital role in modern medicine, particularly in dental procedures and minor surgeries.

Its short-acting sedative properties make it ideal for helping patients feel relaxed and at ease during treatments that might otherwise cause anxiety or discomfort.

When administered by professionals, nitrous oxide is carefully mixed with oxygen and delivered through a mask, allowing patients to remain conscious but calm.

One of its main benefits is pain relief without significantly affecting blood pressure or causing lingering side effects. This makes it especially useful for procedures like dental fillings, biopsies, or even childbirth.

Patients often report feeling relaxed and less aware of pain, making medical and dental experiences more tolerable.

Nitrous oxide is the most widely used gas anaesthetic in the world, thanks to its safety and effectiveness.

 

What Does Laughing Gas Do to You?

When you inhale laughing gas, it quickly enters your bloodstream and begins to impact your nervous system.

It changes how your body processes pain signals and emotions, creating immediate effects that alter your perception and feelings.

Almost instantly, nitrous oxide slows down your nervous system. It dissolves in the bloodstream, targeting the brain and nerves.

This can reduce pain sensitivity and cause feelings of euphoria or intense happiness. Some people feel relaxed, calm, detached, and unphased by stress.

• You may also experience:
• Feeling light-headed
• A spike in blood pressure
• Dizziness
• Feeling slightly off-balance

Nitrous oxide can lower oxygen levels in theblood, which may contribute to dizziness or fainting.

It’s also common to experience spontaneous laughter, hence the name laughing gas. This is partly physiological, partly psychological, as interactions and environments may suddenly feel funnier than usual.

 

Psychological Effects of Laughing Gas

When too much nitrous oxide is inhaled, it can cause vivid or unusual experiences, including auditory or visual hallucinations.

People may hear sounds that aren’t real or see objects moving in unusual ways. Another common effect is a floating sensation or feeling lighter than air.

Time and space may feel distorted, creating an almost dream-like state where reality seems altered.

 

How Long Do the Effects Last?

The effects of laughing gas wear off very quickly, often within a few minutes of stopping inhalation.

This short duration makes it worthwhile in medical settings, where a rapid recovery is crucial.

Psychologically, nitrous oxide appeals because it offers a quick, temporary escape from reality. It allows users to experience a different state of consciousness almost instantly, which can feel attractive during moments of stress or discomfort.

Although brief, this form of escapism can offer relief and a brief mental respite.

 

What Are the Risks of Inhaling Laughing Gas?

Despite seeming harmless, nitrous oxide misuse carries serious risks.

Excessive inhalation may cause nausea, vomiting, or unconsciousness. Because it impairs judgment and motor skills, it can also lead to accidents and injuries.

In poorly ventilated spaces, nitrous oxide can accumulate to dangerous levels, increasing the risk of asphyxia.

Long-term misuse is linked to vitamin B12 deficiency, which can cause irreversible nerve and spinal cord damage. It may also weaken the immune system.

Inhaling directly from canisters or tanks can damage the lungs, vocal cords, and respiratory tract or cause fatal asphyxia.

Because nitrous oxide is colourless and nearly odourless, accidental overuse is possible, leading to oxygen deprivation and disorientation.

Recreational users often mix nitrous oxide with alcohol or drugs, which significantly increases the risk of overdose, respiratory depression, or even death.

Pregnant women are advised to avoid nitrous oxide, particularly in the first trimester, due to potential risks to fetal development.

 

Dangers of Mixing Substances

Mixing nitrous oxide with other drugs or alcohol is particularly dangerous.

Stimulants can put harmful pressure on the heart and blood vessels. Depressants, like benzodiazepines or opiates, slow breathing and heart rate, increasing the risk of suffocation or choking.

Alcohol intensifies dizziness, nausea, and disorientation, raising the risk of passing out or vomiting. If used in isolated settings, the danger is even greater.

To reduce risks, avoid mixing nitrous oxide with other substances, and seek immediate medical help if overdose symptoms occur.

 

Environmental Impact

Recreational nitrous oxide use also has an environmental cost.

The small steel canisters used to store nitrous oxide are recyclable; however, they cannot be placed in regular recycling bins due to the risk of explosion. They must be taken to a recycling or scrap metal facility that accepts pressurised containers.

Production and transport of nitrous oxide contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

At festivals and parties, discarded canisters and balloons often end up as litter, posing risks to wildlife.

Proper disposal and mindful use are crucial to minimising these environmental impacts.

 

Need Help? Contact Us Today

If you or someone you know needs more information or help regarding nitrous oxide or any other substance, please reach out today at 0800 012 6088.