Skills for the job: Educating on nitrous oxide risks

What is nitrous oxide?

Nitrous oxide is a colourless gas, commonly used in a variety of medical and industrial settings, from whipped cream canisters to rocket engines. It's probably most famous as a mild general anaesthetic. It was used for this purpose in surgical procedures throughout the Victorian era and continues to be used in dentistry today. Not long after it was first synthesised, people realised that inhaling it can produce feelings of euphoria and relaxation. This led to it being called "laughing gas".

It's this recreational use that has led to a rapid rise in popularity over the past decade. Last year alone, more than 500,000 people are reported to have used it. In part this comes down to accessibility. A single balloon of nitrous oxide is relatively cheap and is increasingly sold in a variety of locations like nightclubs, music festivals and busy town centres. The drug's widespread use can also be put down to the perception that it is low-risk and the mixture of curiosity and peer pressure that all young people experience.

What are the effects?

The effects of nitrous oxide are immediate and only last a couple of minutes. Since it is a depressant, it slows down your brain and your body's responses, and a number of sensations follow from that underlying effect. Commonly, users experience euphoria and a sense of calm, while its dissociative qualities can lead to a feeling of floatiness or being "out of body". Unsurprisingly for something called "laughing gas", it can also cause giggling fits and even mild hallucinations.

Since anyone taking nitrous oxide will be breathing it instead of air, headaches and dizziness from lack of oxygen are common side effects. The floaty feelings can lead to clumsiness, dizziness and the potential for fainting or losing balance. It can also leave some people feeling nauseous, particularly when mixed with alcohol.

What is the legal status?

Since nitrous oxide is used in legitimate industrial practices, it is not difficult to purchase online. While it's illegal to sell nitrous oxide to anyone under the age of 18 if you believe they intend to inhale it, it is legal in other circumstances. Like all "legal highs" though, just because a substance is legal, doesn't mean it is safe.

Is it dangerous?

While the dangers aren't remotely comparable to illicit drugs like heroin or cocaine, there are still a number of risks to taking nitrous oxide. The most common are related to lack of oxygen. While this isn't likely to be a problem when using single balloons, more risky methods in which users inhale the gas for long periods of time can lead to suffocation. For this reason, people should never take it directly from a canister.

As nitrous oxide can also cause dizziness, clumsiness and affect a user's judgment, it can lead to an increased risk of accidents.

Nitrous oxide has also been shown to have long-term effects related to severe vitamin B12 deficiency, which can develop with heavy, regular use. This can cause serious nerve damage, which leads to tingling and numbness in the fingers, toes and other extremities, and even difficulties with walking and pains in the affected areas.

What can young people do to minimise risk?

• Only take nitrous oxide while sat down in a safe environment.
• Never inhale for longer than 30 seconds since it is possible to suffocate from lack of oxygen.
• Only ever take it from a balloon in an open space. People have died from putting bags over their heads or attempting to fill rooms.
• Never take it directly from a canister. It comes out at very low temperatures, so it's possible to get frostbite this way.
• Make absolutely sure it is nitrous oxide being taken and not a different mixture of gases, which could be extremely toxic.

Alistair Bohm, head of communications, Addaction

SUPPORT

If a young person has questions about drugs and alcohol, they can speak to Addaction in complete confidence. It doesn't cost anything and the organisation will listen to what they have to say and provide practical help and advice without them having to worry about getting into trouble with their family, their school or other people.

They can get help by visiting www.addaction.org.uk, phoning 0800 044 8371 or by texting "HELP" to 66777.