What is Nitrous Oxide?

Nitrous Oxide is also called Laughing Gas because it brings on euphoria or mirth on inhalation. Nitrous Oxide is colorless, odorless and is the only inhalation anesthetic agent that is not a vapor but a true gas by definition. Joseph Priestly, an English scientist and clergyman was the first to discover nitrous oxide in 1772. Priestly is also famous for isolating other gases such as oxygen, carbon monoxide, ammonia and sulfur dioxide.

Uses of Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is a mild sedative and an analgesic commonly used in:

Dentistry as an anesthesia to relax patients during dental procedures. The patient quickly recovers from its effect soon after the procedure ends.Usually after the procedure the patient is administered oxygen to counteract the effects of the nitrous oxide.

The dairy industry uses nitrous oxide as a mixing foaming agent in the production of whipped cream because of its non-flammable and bacteriostatic (stops the growth of bacteria) characteristics.

In auto racing nitrous oxide is injected into the fuel line of racing cars to give more power to the engines and to give the cars extraordinary acceleration.

Nitrous Oxide is used to prepare divers for the effects of nitrogen narcosis. Nitrogen narcosis is an affect on the brain of gaseous nitrogen that occurs to divers who go below 100 FSW( feet of salt water) due to the laws of partial pressures. Nitrogen is the gas that causes the bends or decompression sickness.

Nitrous oxide is also targeted as an emitter of green house gas that adds to global warming. This is definitely not good for the environment.

Unfortunately nitrous oxide has also been used as a recreational drug. The danger in this is due to the disorientation effects of the gas that can cause one to tip over in a chair, tripping and falling. Nitrous oxide also permeates the fatty tissues in the body. Therefore it can outgas into your gut or middle ear causing pain.

Nitrous oxide can also become emotionally habit forming.

Nitrous oxide abuse can cause:

Nausea

Oxygen deprivation.

Loss of motor control.

Vitamin B 12 interference

Folic acid interference.

Is Nitrous Oxide Illegal?

In the United States nitrous oxide is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

The laws in each state differs regarding nitrous oxide check your state's laws and abide by them.

"Pregnant women should not use or handle nitrous oxide because studies with pregnant mice and rats exposed to nitrous oxide have been linked to birth defects." Health line

Nitrous oxide is linked with green house gas which causes global warming.

It also plays its role in dentistry, the dairy industry and in auto racing.