Nitrous oxide

Nitrous oxide is inhaled.

People open the canister, transfer the gas into a container (usually a balloon), then inhale from the balloon.

Inhaling nitrous oxide directly from the canister is very dangerous because the gas is under such high pressure and it comes out as extremely cold. This can damage your throat and lungs, stop you breathing or slow your heart to a dangerous level.

Using nitrous oxide directly from a large canister makes it harder to keep track of how much you are taking so you're more likely to suffer the negative effects of using a lot of gas.

Nitrous oxide slows down your brain and your body’s responses, and the effects of the drug varies depending on how much has been inhaled.

Taking nitrous oxide can cause:

• feelings of euphoria, relaxation and calmness
• fits of giggles and laughter – hence the nickname ‘laughing gas’
• sound distortions and hallucinations – when you see or hear things that aren't there

Nitrous oxide can also:

• give you a severe headache
• cause dizziness
• stop you thinking straight
• cause short-lived but intense feelings of paranoia

How long the effects last and the drug stays in your system depends on how much you’ve taken, your size and what other drugs you may have also taken.

Nitrous oxide is often taken in combination with other drugs. So its effects can be unpredictable, as it depends on what other drugs are being taken with it.

It is a short acting drug which can lead to people to frequently re-dose and end up using more than they intended.

Mixing drugs is always risky but some mixtures are more dangerous than others.

It may be possible to become psychologically dependent on nitrous oxide, meaning that users develop an increased desire to keep using it despite the harm it may cause, but the evidence on this is limited.

In anecdotal reports, some people have reported developing cravings or feelings that they want to continue using nitrous oxide.

Like drink-driving, driving when high is dangerous and illegal. If you’re caught driving under the influence, you may receive a heavy fine, driving ban, or prison sentence.

If the police catch people supplying illegal drugs in a home, club, bar or hostel, they can potentially prosecute the landlord, club owner or any other person concerned in the management of the premises.

As of 2016, nitrous oxide is covered by the Psychoactive Substances Act and is illegal to supply for its psychoactive effect.