Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is gas that you inhale. It causes a quick high, lifts your mood and often makes you want to laugh.
The gas is colourless. It may taste or smell slightly sweet.
Nitrous oxide comes in pressurised cartridges, such as:
- small silver cartridges called whippets
- larger canisters of different sizes - you release the gas into a balloon
People use a cracker or a whipped cream canister to release the gas from a whippet into another object. For example, a balloon.
They inhale the gas from the balloon. This is sometimes called nagging.
Nitrous oxide in medical settings is mixed with air. It is not the same as nitrous oxide that people use to get high.
Drug category: dissociative
Dissociatives can make you feel disconnected from your body or surroundings. They can also change the way you see or hear things.
Other names for nitrous oxide
Other names include: laughing gas, N2O, Nos, whippets, balloons, chargers
Effects of nitrous oxide
The effects of nitrous oxide can vary depending on:
- your size, weight and sex
- if you have any health conditions or mental health difficulties
- how you take the drug
- the strength of the drug
- how much you take
- if you take alcohol, medicines or other drugs at the same time
- where you take the drug and how you feel before you take it
- if you have taken the drug before and how often
The information on this page is about non-medical use of nitrous oxide.
What we mean by non-medical use of a medicine
Non-medical use is when someone uses a medicine in a way that does not follow medical guidelines.
This can include when someone uses a medicine:
- they bought in the illegal drug market - this can be online or in person
- that was not prescribed to them
- in a different way or quantity than their doctor prescribed
For medical use, healthcare professionals only give nitrous oxide in a hospital or clinic.
Nitrous oxide causes a rush of effects that starts almost immediately and lasts up to 2 minutes. People often take it repeatedly over a short space of time.
How you may feel or behave
You may feel:
- intense wellbeing or happiness (euphoria)
- giddy and giggly
- calm and relaxed
- an increased sense of wellbeing
- disconnected from your body and surroundings
- a change in your perception of time
Effects on your brain and body
Nitrous oxide can cause:
- nausea (feeling sick)
- headache
- loss of balance
- disorientation
- hallucinations - you may see, feel or hear things that are not there
- paranoia
- chest tightness or breathing problems
- low blood pressure
- fainting
- injuries or accidents
- loss of consciousness
Nitrous oxide and vitamin B12
Heavy regular use of nitrous oxide can cause vitamin B12 deficiency.
Symptoms include:
- numbness, pain or tingling in hands, fingers or feet and toes
- loss of power or control in arms, hands, legs
- problems with coordination
- confusion
- extreme fatigue
- dizziness
Get medical help if you have these or other symptoms such as breathing problems after use.
If you're worried about talking to your GP
Your GP is there to help you. They talk about things such as drug use all the time.
But if you feel uncomfortable talking about your nitrous use or symptoms, you could:
- write down what you need to say before your appointment - you can give your notes to your GP if you need to
- tell your GP how you feel - this can help you feel less nervous
- use everyday words - you do not need to know medical terms
Nitrous oxide and mental health
Regular use of nitrous oxide can cause mental health difficulties or make existing difficulties worse.
If you use nitrous oxide and have mental health difficulties, you can get support for both.
Nitrous oxide and dependency
It is not clear if nitrous can cause physical dependency or tolerance. But some people who use nitrous oxide may feel they need it to do certain things. For example, to have fun or relax.
Others may use it to try to cope with stress or to forget difficult situations.
How long does nitrous oxide stay in your system?
It can be hard to know how long nitrous oxide stays in your system.
There are tests to detect nitrous oxide. But different types of tests have different detection times.
Things that affect how long a drug stays in your system
The time it takes for a drug to leave your system depends on many things.
For example:
- how much you took
- how often you take the drug
- how strong the drug was
- your age, sex and metabolism
- your general health
Reducing risks from nitrous oxide
It’s always safest not to take drugs.
There are ways to reduce the risk of harm if you use nitrous oxide. Select a piece of advice to find out more.
Consider if there is extra risk for you - such as health conditions or how you feel.
There are always risks if you use drugs. But some people may be more at risk than others.
If you or someone in your family has any health conditions or mental health difficulties, you may be more at risk of a drug emergency.
There is a higher risk of serious problems from if you have:
- heart problems
- breathing problems - such as asthma
- high blood pressure
It can be hard to know your level of risk. Some people have health conditions and do not know it.
If you feel low, anxious or stressed, you are more at risk of a negative or challenging experience.
Be with people you trust and look out for each other - do not use alone.
Pick a meeting point and know what to do in case of an emergency.
Always use a balloon.
The gas from the canister is very cold.
This can damage your:
- lungs if you inhale from the canister
- skin if you hold the canister for too long
Use your own balloon.
Use in places with plenty of air and get enough oxygen.
There is a risk of suffocation if you use in enclosed spaces such as in a car.
To reduce the risk of suffocation:
- do not sleep with a canister against your nose or a blanket over your head
- do not spray directly into your mouth
- do not use plastic bags or masks to inhale
Pause and take regular breaths of air.
Do not run or do other physical activities after using an inhalant. It can put extra strain on your heart.
Start with a small amount and wait 2 hours before you take more.
This is to reduce the risk of an overdose or drug emergency.
If you start with a small test amount, you can:
- see how you react
- stop if you get an effect you did not expect or do not want
It can take up to 2 hours for some effects to happen. If you take too much too soon, it increases your risk.
Stay in a safe place away from risks such as heights, roads or water.
This is to reduce the risk of accidents or injuries. Nitrous oxide can affect your control of your body and make you less aware of your surroundings.
Sit down when you use to reduce the risk of falls.
Try to be in a calm place.
Noisy or busy places can cause an overwhelming experience. For example, at a club or festival.
Only use 1 substance at a time.
Using nitrous oxide with alcohol, medicines or other drugs can have unpredictable and negative effects. Mixing drugs is always more risky.
Keep track of what you use.
Take breaks between use to reduce the risk of health problems.
Know what to do in case of a drug emergency.
If you take any kind of drug, it is important to know:
- signs of a drug emergency, including signs related to mental health
- what to do in case of overdose or other emergencies
An overdose can be a life-threatening condition. It happens when someone has too much of a drug or another substance in their system.
Getting help can prevent serious damage or death. Your wellbeing is the main priority.
Mixing nitrous oxide with alcohol or other drugs
Using nitrous oxide with alcohol, medicines or other drugs can have unpredictable effects and increase the risk of harm.
There is a higher risk of negative effects if you mix nitrous oxide with drugs that have similar effects.
For example:
- problems with your heart or other organs - if you use it with drugs such as cocaine or MDMA
- more intense hallucinations if you use it with cannabis or ketamine
Emergency action required: Call 112 or 999 if
you or someone else uses nitrous oxide and has:
- problems breathing
- chest pain
- seizures (fits) or loses consciousness
- an irregular heartbeat or heart palpitations
- a change in skin colour - white skin may turn blue, black or brown skin may turn grey
Stay with the person until help arrives.
Tell the medics everything you know about the drug and give them the drug if possible. It will help them decide the right treatment.
If you are worried about nitrous oxide use
If you are worried about your own or someone else’s use, you can get support. This can be when nitrous oxide affects your health, relationships, work or other areas of your life.
Non-urgent advice: Drugs and alcohol helpline
You can contact the helpline for support, information or advice on treatment and support options.
Freephone: 1800 459 459
Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm
Email: helpline@hse.ie