Nitrous oxide recreational use linked to brain damage, sudden death, but ‘laughing gas' still sold in U.S.
Marketed with names like "Galaxy Gas" and "Miami Magic," and often sold in steel cartridges known as "whippets," these products are cheap and readily available at gas stations, convenience stores, smoke shops and major retail outlets, including Walmart. They're also sold online.
As an assistant professor of public health who studies these products, I'm aware of how dangerous they can be.
Recreational and continued use of nitrous oxide can cause a wide range of serious health problems, and in some cases, death.
Long list of potential harms
The list of serious side effects from frequent use is long. It includes: cognitive impairment, memory problems, hallucinations, headaches, lightheadedness, mood disturbances, blood clots, limb weakness, trouble walking, peripheral neuropathy, impaired bowel or bladder function, spinal cord degeneration and irreversible brain damage. Vitamin B-12 deficiency is common and can lead to nerve and brain damage.
Deaths in the United States attributed to abuse of nitrous oxide jumped more than 100% between 2019 and 2023; over a five-year period, emergency department visits rose 32%.
All told, more than 13 million Americans have misused nitrous oxide at least once during their lifetimes. This includes children: In 2024, just over 4% of eighth-graders and about 2% of 12th-graders said they've tried inhalants. Nitrous oxide is among the most abused of these inhalants due to its low cost, easy availability and commercial appeal -- one flavor of the gas is named "pink bubble gum."
Laughing gas parties
Because of legal loopholes in the Food and Drug Administration Act, nitrous oxide remains unregulated. What's more, U.S. scientists have done relatively little research on its abuse, partly because the public still perceives the substance as benign, particularly when compared with alcohol.
The few studies on the use of nitrous oxide are limited mainly to case reports -- that is, a report on a single patient. Although limited in scope, they're alarming.
More thorough studies are available in the United Kingdom and Europe, where there's even more demand for the product. One example: Over a 20-year period, 56 people died in England and Wales after recreational use. Typically, deaths occur from hypoxia, which is the lack of oxygen to the brain, or accidents occurring while intoxicated by the gas, such as car wrecks or falls.
Americans have known about the effects of nitrous oxide for centuries. Before becoming a medicinal aid, nitrous oxide was popular at "laughing gas" parties during the late 1700s.
Physicians began using it in the United States around the mid-19th century after Horace Wells, a dentist, attended a stage show -- called Laughing Gas Entertainment -- and saw the numbing effect that nitrous oxide had on audience volunteers.
By coincidence, Wells was having a wisdom tooth removed the next day, so he tried the gas during his procedure. The nitrous oxide worked; Wells said he felt no pain. Thereafter, medicinal use of the gas was gradually accepted.
Today, nitrous oxide is often used in dentists' offices. It's safe under a doctor's supervision as a mild sedative that serves as a pain reliever and numbing agent. Nitrous oxide also benefits some patients with severe psychiatric disorders, including treatment-resistant depression and bipolar depression. It may also help with anxiety and pain management.
Bans and restrictions
No federal age restrictions exist for purchasing nitrous oxide products, although a few states have passed age limits.
As of May 2025, four U.S. states -- Louisiana, Michigan, Alabama and California -- have banned the recreational use of nitrous oxide, and more than 30 states are working on legislation to ban or at least restrict sale of the products. In addition, numerous lawsuits filed against the manufacturers are in court.
Research shows school prevention programs help keep kids from using these products. So does early screening of patients by primary care and mental health physicians. The sooner they can intervene, the more likely that ongoing therapy will work.
Through appropriate legislation, regulation, education and intervention, nitrous oxide abuse can be slowed or stopped. Otherwise, these products -- with their sleek packaging and attractive social media campaigns that obscure their dangers -- remain a growing threat to our children.
Andrew Yockey is an assistant professor of public health at the University of Mississippi. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The views and opinions in this commentary are solely those of the author.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
9 hours ago
- Newsweek
Millennial Spent the Summer Gardening in Yard, Then Came Shocking Diagnosis
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. "I know exactly how I got skin cancer. And I promise it could happen to you as well." That is the warning from 37-year-old April Catudal, who was recently diagnosed with Stage IA melanoma earlier this summer. The mom who lives in Roswell, Georgia, had never had any issues in previous exams. But, this year, her dermatologist noticed something different. "I was diagnosed earlier this summer after going in for my yearly skin exam in early June," Catudal told Newsweek. "My dermatologist immediately saw the mole and biopsied it, though he didn't expect it to be melanoma since it was an old mole that had grown in size. The biopsy came back as Stage IA melanoma." The diagnosis came as a shock—not because of any visible warning signs, but because of what she now realizes was a blind spot in her approach to sun safety. "The reason I decided to share is because I had been really naive about how important it is to protect my skin," Catudal said. "I thought I needed to absorb vitamin D, and also I had never had even one annual skin test come back as abnormal, so I had developed a lot of false confidence." Catudal said she hadn't considered herself high risk. She didn't use tanning beds, never had a bad burn in adulthood, and assumed that brief time in the sun wasn't dangerous. She also hadn't been aware of how prevalent skin cancer is, or how serious even early-stage melanoma can be. "I didn't know the skin cancer stats in the U.S., and I also wasn't aware of the emotional and physical toll the diagnosis would have on me, and I truly was as lucky as can be," Catudal added. A picture from the viral video where April shared her skin-cancer story. A picture from the viral video where April shared her skin-cancer story. @naturallyapril/Instagram Skin-Cancer Risk Factors The American Cancer Society's 2025 Cancer Statistics report an estimated 104,960 new cases of invasive melanoma are expected to be diagnosed in the United States this year, including 60,550 in men and 44,410 in women. Around 8,430 Americans (5,470 men and 2,960 women) are projected to die from the disease. The American Cancer Society says that exposure to ultraviolet rays is the biggest major risk factor for most melanomas. UV rays damage the DNA inside skin cells, and skin cancers can begin when this damage affects the genes that control skin cell growth. Around 1 in 10 people with melanoma have a family history of the disease, while there is also evidence that people with lighter skin colors and hair are more at risk. Catudal said she now believes she knows exactly how she got skin cancer, and it wasn't from tanning beds or sunbathing. It was gardening. "I was planting away all spring, removing old pine straw and planting new flower beds, bent with my neck directly exposed to the hot sun for hours at a time," Catudal said. "Dumb." While her dermatologist couldn't say definitively, he told her it could have been caused by either years of accumulated DNA damage or from a single repeated action, like that intense spring spent outdoors. "To be honest, my dermatologist said there's no way of knowing if it's years of accumulated skin DNA damage or way too much exposure from one repeated action (gardening)," Catudal said. What felt like harmless time in the sun—without sunscreen on just one spot—may have been all it took. Catudal's neck, left uncovered during hours in the yard, was where the melanoma appeared. And it is a mistake that many people make without realizing the potential cost. Catudal had the mole removed and is now cancer-free, but the diagnosis left a lasting impact and prompted her to share her story with others. "Either way, I'm just so relieved that I had stayed on top of my yearly exam, even though life was crazy," she said. "And now I'm so very grateful that I get to share my story, help other women in their relative prime stay safe and take care of their skin."
New York Post
12 hours ago
- New York Post
Iran sends surviving nuclear scientists into hiding after 14 killed in Israeli strikes, report says
Iran has sent its remaining nuclear scientists deep into hiding after the 12-day conflict in June that saw at least 14 killed by Israeli strikes, according to a new report. The more than 15 top scientists who survived the attack have left their homes and universities to hide in secure locations in Tehran or along the northern coast, a senior Iranian official told The Telegraph. But Israeli experts warned that whoever stands poised to inherit the work of the slain scientists — no matter where they choose to hide — are already 'dead men walking,' according to the UK outlet. 3 Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaking at a mourning ceremony for Iranian military leaders and scientists that were killed during the war with Israel in Tehran on July 29, 2025. via REUTERS 'Those who are left will be at the forefront of any Iranian attempt to reach a nuclear bomb, hence they will automatically become targets for Israel as Israel has shown in the past,' said Danny Citrinowicz, the former head of the Iranian strategic desk in Israeli Defense Intelligence agency. 'I have no doubt about it. Any scientist that deals with the nuclear issue will be eliminated or will be threatened with elimination,' he said. Israel has allegedly put together a total list of about 100 Iranian scientists who may be future targets to halt Tehran's nuclear ambition, according to the Telegraph. At least 14 of Tehran's top atomic experts were killed during Iran's 12-day war with Israel for their alleged personal role in developing highly enriched uranium, which the Jewish state maintains would be used for a nuclear weapon. 3 Smoke rising from an Israeli strike in Tehran on June 16, 2025. PhotoAmong them were Fereidoun Abbasi, a former head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, head of the Islamic Azad University in Tehran. The deadly strikes prompted Tehran to issue the new security measures for its surviving leading scientists, the Iranian official told The Telegraph. Iran also has reportedly replaced its atomic experts teaching in colleges 'with people who have no connection with the nuclear program.' Universities where some of the targets worked were hit and damaged by Israeli airstrikes during the war. 3 A residential building in Tehran destroyed in an Israeli strike seen on June 29, 2025. Footage byThe report of Tehran's efforts to bolster security for its scientists comes just days after Iran convicted and executed Rouzbeh Vadi, a reactor engineer accused of spying for Israel and helping facilitate the attack on his colleagues. Iran has undertaken a massive espionage crackdown after the war, arresting hundreds of people across the country and expelling more than a million Afghani refugees branded as possible spies for Israel. Hostage Air Worldwide, a nonprofit that works to help political captives and their families, said that at least four Iranian-Americans are among the hundreds detained in the espionage raids.
New York Post
15 hours ago
- New York Post
I'm 54 and sleep 8 straight hours a night — the top 6 things you need to do for better rest
Americans, by and large, are starved for sleep. While seven to nine hours of sleep a night is generally recommended, a survey by US News revealed 58% of us sleep six to seven hours a night, while one in five is only clocking four to five hours of shut-eye. To close that yawning gap, one woman is sharing her tips for getting a solid eight — even in her 50s, when sleep can often be tougher to come by. Advertisement 'How do I at 54 and a half years old, sleep through the night for 8 hours without even getting up to go pee?,' questioned Heather Gordon. 'Let me tell you the top things that you need to do.' 3 To maximize rest, Gordon recommends going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. tiktok/@prettysickheather_ Say no to co-sleeping Gordon's number one rule for a peaceful night's sleep? Solo slumber. 'If you want to sleep through the night, don't co-sleep if possible. It's disturbing to everybody. Sleep by yourself. Sorry, that's the truth.' Advertisement According to a recent survey by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), an estimated one in three Americans is regularly sleeping in a separate bed from their partner — a move dubbed 'sleep divorce.' Research from the University of Michigan finds that it's more beneficial for couples to sleep apart than together, if a disruption-free eight hours is the goal. 'We know that poor sleep can worsen your mood, and those who are sleep deprived are more likely to argue with their partners,' said Dr. Seema Khosla, a pulmonologist and spokesperson for the AASM. Maintain a consistent sleep routine Advertisement To maximize rest, Gordon recommends going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, advice echoed by others. 'Consistency is a huge key,' Dr. Dylan Petkus, a sleep specialist and founder of Optimal Circadian Health in Florida, previously told The Post. 'Going to bed at the same time every night helps your body find its rhythm.' Figuring out your ideal bedtime is 'part science, part self-awareness.' He suggests using your desired wake-up time to calculate your perfect lights-out time. If you need to wake up at 7 a.m. and you want to get eight hours in, aim for a bedtime of 11 p.m. — and stick to it. Advertisement 3 Darkness helps the body maintain its circadian rhythm through the production of melatonin. Tyas Indayanti – Black out the bedroom In addition to blackout curtains, Morgan recommends covering any light sources in the bedroom. 'I am such a crazy person that I even put black electrical tape over the television power button and the smoke detector,' she said. Darkness helps the body maintain its circadian rhythm through the production of melatonin. Light can interfere with this process, making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. One study found that using a night light sparks shallow sleep and frequent awakenings, while another determined that street lamps can lead to less sleep. Take magnesium glycinate before bed Gordon recommends taking two capsules, the equivalent of 200 milligrams of magnesium glycinate, before bed. Advertisement Magnesium glycinate is a type of magnesium that binds to the amino acid glycine, which helps your body absorb it more easily, and which in itself has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Magnesium plays a crucial role in hundreds of bodily functions, including reducing stress, relaxing muscles, and regulating your sleep-wake cycle. Some studies have found that supplementation improved sleep quality in older adults and people with insomnia, especially those with magnesium deficiencies. Have a dash of salt water Advertisement Gordon chases that magnesium glycinate with a shot of salt water. 'You need salt. You need to drink salt water before bed. I take some Baja Gold sea salt in a little bit of warm water, and I take my magnesium with my salt water,' she said. She claims that salt water boosts blood volume, hydrates the body, and eliminates the need to pee in the middle of the night. 'It's going to take any liquids and push them into your tissues and your cells instead of into your bladder.' Advertisement 3 For those who need a wake-up call, she suggests setting an alarm on your phone and placing it in the bathroom or wrapping it in a t-shirt or blanket. Andrey Popov – Take your clock out of your room Morgan insists that a clock in the bedroom operates as the enemy of sleep: 'You're gonna take your clock out of your room. You don't need to know what time it is. It's f–king time to sleep.' For those who need a wake-up call, she suggests setting an alarm on your phone and placing it in the bathroom or wrapping it in a t-shirt or blanket. Advertisement She explained that if you do wake up in the middle of the night, looking at the clock is a stress trigger. 'You start stressing yourself out. Like, oh, it's 4 in the morning, I'm gonna be so tired tomorrow if I don't fall back to sleep.'
