Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)

Published on 11 mars 2026 at 4:00 / Updated on 24 mars 2026 at 8:01

Common names	Terms commonly used to refer to the substance: dinitrogen monoxide, hippy crack, laughing gas, NOS, whippets.
Classification	Central nervous system depressant: Refers to substances that slow brain function by reducing alertness and the overall activity of the cerebral cortex.
Mechanism of action	Disrupts the way neurons communicate with each other, which changes how the brain perceives pain, sounds, and sensations. This can cause laughter, a feeling of well-being, and detachment. May also reduce the amount of oxygen reaching the brain.
Routes of administration	Nitrous oxide can be found in cartridges (also known as "whippets"). Balloons are filled with the gas, which is then inhaled.

Effects sought out by the user

Disinhibition
Distorted perceptions
Euphoria

Feeling of lightness or floating
Hallucinations
Relaxation

Common adverse effects

Confusion
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Frostbite (on skin exposed to the freezing gas)
Generalized muscle weakness
Headaches

Loss of balance and coordination (especially in the legs)
Loss of consciousness
Nausea and vomiting
Numbness
Significantly impaired judgment

Overdose effects

Convulsions
Lack of oxygen
Death

Tolerance (need to increase the dose to feel the same effect)

Possible, especially with frequent or repeated use over short periods.

Addiction

Psychological dependence possible.

Withdrawal

Certain symptoms may occur with the interruption of regular nitrous oxide use, such as:

Excessive sweating
Nausea
Sleep disorders
Tremors

Onset and duration of action
Route of administration	Onset of action	Duration of action
Inhalation	Almost instantaneous	Less than 5 minutes

Screening

Nitrous oxide is generally not detected during routine drug screening tests due to its short presence in the body. Measuring blood levels of homocysteine and vitamin B12 may sometimes help detect excessive nitrous oxide use.

Intoxication management

No antidote available.
Treatment is mainly symptomatic.
Administration of certain supplements (e.g., vitamin B12) is sometimes recommended.

Other useful information

Nitrous oxide is legally used in dentistry and pediatrics as an analgesic and anesthetic.
Chronic use may lead to vitamin B12 deficiency, which can be associated with neurological disorders (e.g., numbness in the extremities) that may sometimes be irreversible.
Inhaling nitrous oxide directly from cartridges can cause severe burns to the mouth and esophagus due to the extremely cold temperature of the gas.

Many different street drugs are sold under the same name. Furthermore, nothing guarantees the quantity, purity or even the content of a street drug in spite of the fact that it may, in some cases, look like medication.

For more information, please contact your health care provider.

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