Nitrous Oxide Overdose Symptoms
Nitrous oxide (N2O, commonly referred to as “laughing gas”) can be toxic. Taking too much of it can lead to nitrous oxide poisoning, overdose, or death. Keep reading to learn more about the risks of nitrous oxide misuse, including how to recognize the signs of a nitrous oxide overdose and how to get help for drug addiction.
What Are the Signs of Nitrous Oxide Overdose?
Signs of toxic exposure to laughing gas or other possible nitrous oxide overdose symptoms include:
- Irritation in the eyes, nose, and/or throat.
- Wheezing or worsening cough.
- Seizures or significant respiratory depression, which can be fatal.
- Choking or tightness in the chest.
- Headache, lightheadedness, or dizziness.
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea).
- Bluish fingers, toes, or lips.
- Rapid heart rate, changes in blood pressure, and potential heart attack or stroke.
- Psychosis (hallucinations and/or delusions).
Nitrous Oxide Misuse
While nitrous oxide does have some medical uses, the substance is also commonly misused by people who inhale the fumes through various sources, including food dispensing agents like commercial whipped cream (called “whippets”) and other similar containers.
Replacement nitrous oxide containers for these commercial grade items are easy to find and not illegal to own. In addition, many over-the-counter products that contain nitrous oxide can readily be purchased at a local grocery store, such as vegetable spray, cooking sprays, etc.
Due to the substance’s extremely short half-life, the psychoactive effects are relatively brief, intense, and often lead to individuals bingeing repeatedly on the gas to maintain its effects.
How Much Is Too Much Nitrous Oxide?
There are no recommended or specified doses associated with toxicity or overdose. The World Health Organization (WHO) has set standards for the safe amount of nitrous oxide that should be considered in both chronic and acute exposures (acute exposure being for the use of medicinal reasons and not designed to specify exposures associated with recreational abuse of the substance).
For chronic exposure to nitrous oxide, it is recommended that the maximum exposure be 20 parts per billion (expressing a ratio between nitrous oxide and breathable air), and for acute exposures, no more than 100 parts per billion for one hour.
Individuals who abuse laughing gas by inhaling containers of it easily exceed this safe ratio and can experience toxic and overdose effects after several minutes of continued exposure.
However, because of the drug’s short half-life, overexposure to nitrous oxide would be expected to significantly dissipate once the person stops breathing in the substance and breathes air. Continuing to inhale the substance for more than several minutes can result in significant toxic issues.
Nitrous Oxide Side Effects
The potential side effects of nitrous oxide abuse can include:
- Dizziness.
- Dissociation (feeling as if one is not attached to one’s body or that one is not real).
- Irrational thinking and problems with judgment.
- Unconsciousness or coma.
- Nausea.
- Nitrous oxide poisoning.
Long-Term Nitrous Oxide Side Effects
Chronically abusing nitrous oxide (continuing to inhale it on a regular basis) can lead to serious health issues that could present as toxic exposure. These long-term side effects of nitrous oxide may include some of the following:
- Nitrous oxide interacts with the ability of an individual to synthesize vitamin B12, and long-term exposure to nitrous oxide can cause issues with the production of bone marrow or lead to neurological symptoms.
- Prolonged exposure can result in issues with hypoxia or anoxia (reduced oxygen flow to the brain or other organs or a total stoppage of the flow of oxygen). This can lead to significant issues with brain and other organ damage.
- Because nitrous oxide is a gas, there are no specific doses that are associated with an overdose or toxicity. Instead, issues with toxicity are most often due to long-term exposure to the gas and decreased oxygen consumption.
Certain individuals who work in jobs where nitrous oxide may be more commonly inhaled, such as welders, firefighters, and military personnel, are at risk for issues associated with long-term exposure, as are chronic abusers of the substance.
Nitrous oxide may also be a byproduct of organic material, such as corn and other grains. If these are stored in silos and ferment, farmers may be at risk for chronic exposure.
Can Nitrous Oxide Kill You?
Death could conceivably occur in individuals who experience significant brain damage as a result of the lack of oxygen to the brain, if a person inhales very concentrated amounts of nitrous oxide and does not breathe sufficient amounts of oxygen.
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