Why is nos dangerous

When completely recovered, he rushed to see what he had written. It was: A smell of petroleum prevails throughout. In the past year, only people in the Netherlands used it more. In , some , people took nitrous oxide, according to the Home Office. It's especially popular with young people, with 7. This was a greater proportion than took cocaine 4. There have, however, been 17 fatalities related to the use of laughing gas in the UK between and , according to research.

The US records about 15 deaths a year. In , a year-old man was found dead at his home in Birmingham next to a large cylinder of nitrous oxide. A plastic bag was also found nearby, it was reported. The pathologist concluded that he had died from asphyxia due to inhaling the gas.

Others have also taken severe risks by using medical tanks and masks. But the majority of people who consume the gas, according to research, do so using balloons. Most of the deaths in the UK have been asphyxiations involving plastic bags, says Dr John Ramsey, a toxicologist who was part of the team that helped compile the death data , using coroner's reports at St George's, University of London.

As well as the danger of asphyxiation, when the gas comes out of a canister it can be so cold it can burn. Body Content 2. Effects depend on Body Content 3. How nitrous oxide affects your body Tap on a body part to learn more of the effects nitrous oxide places on your body. General information Effects of nitrous oxide. Immediate effects The effects may start to be felt immediately and can last from 2 — 3 minutes; some effects may last up to 30 — 40 minutes.

Effects of prolonged use used more than once a week may include: memory loss vitamin B12 depletion long-term depletion causes brain and nerve damage anaemia incontinence numbness in the hands or feet limb spasms potential birth defects if consumed during pregnancy weakened immune system disruption to reproductive systems Psychological effects may include: depression psychological dependence psychosis.

Mixing nitrous oxide and alcohol can cause: Confusion Feeling heavy or sluggish Reduced concentration Loss of body control Mixing nitrous oxide with alcohol can also increase the risks associated with both substances and can lead to an increased risk of accidents or death.

If you can't wake someone up or you are concerned that they may have sustained a head injury from a drug related fall — call an ambulance immediately Always phone triple zero for an ambulance and tell the operator that the person has overdosed the police will usually not come unless the person dies or becomes violent. You should also: if the person is unconscious, put them on their side, in the recovery position stay with the person try not to panic check their breathing, clear their airway do mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if they stop breathing If the person has been mixing nitrous oxide with other drugs, tell the NSW Ambulance paramedic exactly what they have taken.

For counselling and support services for CALD communities call 02 Nepean Youth Drug and Alcohol Service NYDAS works within a holistic model of care to address a range of issues for young people 12 years of age related to their alcohol and other drug use. Call 02 or 02 Call 13 11 26 ahmrc. When someone inhales nitrous oxide, the gas rapidly dissolves into the bloodstream, and hits the brain within seconds. Effects vary between people and are rarely quite the same twice, but a rush of dizziness and euphoria is normal, and people often burst out laughing.

Sound is oddly distorted, voices and music often turning into a throbbing roar like a helicopter. Hallucinations are possible, from simple moving bright dots to complete detailed dreamscapes, although most users do not experience complex hallucinations. The gas is an anaesthetic, so coordination and awareness are strongly affected and users may fall over if they are not sitting or lying down. The experience ends almost as swiftly as it began, with the peak lasting just seconds and the user back to normal within about 2 minutes.

Nitrous oxide also reduces anxiety and pain. Additionally, when inhaled recreationally in the usual and least risky way, from a balloon, the gas in the lungs displaces air, temporarily preventing much or any oxygen getting into the blood.

This may cause the heart to beat faster, and limbs to feel tingly or heavy. Nitrous oxide is used for anaethesia, and relieving pain. It can also help relieve anxiety. It is given to women in labour, in ambulances, emergency departments and in dentistry. The gas used is a typically a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide. If the user of nitrous oxide is in good health, understands the risks, and avoids dangerous methods, nitrous oxide is one of the least risky drugs.

However, people have died from oxygen starvation when using unsafe methods to try to breathe large amounts of nitrous oxide for extended periods of time. Inhaling nitrous oxide in a dangerous way will not cause any warning symptoms until the user suddenly becomes unconscious.

Then brain damage, followed by death, can occur within minutes. There are hints that using nitrous oxide during pregnancy might pose a risk to the developing foetus although of course it is used safely during birth. Obstetric nurses exposed to high levels of the gas at work seemed to have more babies with abnormalities , although this possible connection is not yet clearly understood.

Nitrous oxide could potentially worsen some mental health problems, or trigger a relapse, although there is no specific evidence of this.

Additionally, people with heart conditions or abnormal blood pressure may be at higher risk as the drop in oxygen levels caused by inhaling nitrous oxide raises the heart rate and can cause arrhythmias skipped heartbeats.

These are not usually a problem, but could cause cardiac arrests and similar emergencies in susceptible people. There is no current evidence demonstrating that nitrous oxide used with other drugs increases the risks. However, it is possible that risks could be greater with stimulants and any other drugs that put pressure on your heart, as effects on blood pressure and heart rate could be unpredictable. Nitrous oxide can, allegedly, briefly multiply the effects of psychedelics like LSD acid and psilocybin magic mushrooms , or bring the effects back strongly when the drug is wearing off, which could be very frightening if unexpected.

Because the effects of nitrous oxide are pleasurable but short-lasting, people are often tempted to take it repeatedly over a short period of time. Very occasionally people become psychologically addicted to nitrous oxide and find it difficult to resist taking it every day. People with mental health issues may be at additional risk of addictive behaviours.

Nitrous oxide is not particularly addictive compared to other drugs, and addictions usually require a combination of a psychological vulnerability such as low moods or worries that the drug briefly relieves , and easy access to the gas.

Mixing nitrous oxide with alcohol is especially dangerous as it can increase the risks associated with both substances and can lead to an increased risk of accidents. 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 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 , nitrous oxide is covered by the Psychoactive Substances Act and is illegal to supply for its psychoactive effect.

If you or someone else needs urgent help after taking drugs or drinking, call for an ambulance. Tell the crew everything you know. It could save their life. Nitrous oxide NOS is a colourless gas sold in canisters, usually inhaled using a balloon.