Nitrous Use

Nitrous or nitrous oxide is a type of anesthetic, a substance used to deaden pain. It can alleviate pain without causing a loss of consciousness. Best known by the nickname “laughing gas”, nitrous oxide is primarily used by dentists to keep patients comfortable during painful procedures. When administered by trained medical professionals, nitrous use is considered a safe and effective form of anesthesia. As a recreational drug used solely to get high, nitrous is classified as an inhalant. Inhalants contain dangerous vapors which are gases or fumes that can be irritating or physically harmful when breathed in. Vapors from inhalants such as nitrous produce psychoactive or mind-altering effects when breathed in through the mouth or nose.

Among young teens, nitrous is typically obtained from canned whipped cream available at grocery stores. Giving name to nitrous use as “whip its”. Nitrous is used to propel or drive out the whipped cream from the can. Sales of nitrous to adults and older teenagers usually occur at dance clubs and all-night dance parties called raves or through internet transactions.

Nitrous use is among the substances of abuse categorized as inhalants. It gained popularity on the dance club circuit because of its supposed aphrodisiac effects. It is also preferred over other inhalants such as spray paints, shoe polish, markers and glue because it does not leave stains on skin and clothes. There are different grades of nitrous use. Food grade nitrous oxide charges, better known as “whippets” as mentioned before, and are available by the box or the case and are sold on the internet.

Heavy nitrous use tends to appear in young adults 18 and older. This may be due to nitrous oxides growing status as a club drug. There have also been cases of nitrous use among healthcare professionals. Dentists and anesthesiologists with easy access to the drug seem to be at a higher risk than the general public of developing nitrous use dependent problems. 

Nitrous acts as a depressant on the human body. Once nitrous is inhaled the gas enters the bloodstream through the lungs. The blood then carries it throughout the rest of the body. Nitrous reaches the brain quickly, affecting vital function such as breathing and heart rate. Nitrous use also alters other mechanisms of the nervous system, such as the activity neurotransmitters that regulate thought processes, behavior and emotions.

Most of the time people will fill balloons with nitrous oxide in order to use nitrous. A single balloon filled with nitrous oxide can bring on a short lived but intense high. The overall effects of nitrous use depend largely on the users frame of mind. It can further stimulate an already excited user or it can sedate a more relaxed user. Symptoms of nitrous use include; giddiness, a loss of balance, slurred speech, twitching, mental confusion, and an inability to feel pain. After the effects of nitrous use wear off, users may experience side effects such as nausea, restlessness, tiredness, difficulty concentrating and the appearance of spots before their eyes.