It is commonly used by dentists and medical professionals to sedate patients undergoing minor medical procedures.
It is also increasingly being used to treat people withdrawing from alcohol dependence. Nitrous oxide is classified as a dissociative anaesthetic and has been found to produce dissociation of the mind from the body a sense of floating , distorted perceptions and in rare cases, visual hallucinations. The gas is inhaled, typically by discharging nitrous gas cartridges bulbs or whippets into another object, such as a balloon, or directly into the mouth.
There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug always carries risk. The following effects may be felt almost immediately and can last for a few minutes: 2,4,5. There is no current evidence demonstrating that mixing nitrous oxide with other substances increases health risks. However, it is possible that combining the gas with stimulants and other drugs places additional pressure on the heart, increases blood pressure and may disrupt heart rate.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that combining nitrous oxide with other drugs such as cannabis , ketamine , LSD , magic mushroom and salvia can cause intense dissociation. When inhaling directly from tanks or whippets bulbs , the gas is intensely cold C degrees and can cause frostbite to the nose, lips and throat including vocal cords.
It also causes a reduction in the sensation of pain, which can be helpful if you are in need of serious dentistry, such as a crown or the removal of a tooth. Nitrous oxide is colorless and odorless, though some dentists will add pleasant scents like vanilla or fruit to the gas to encourage inhalation, especially in children. Dentists can vary this mix upward if necessary to get the desired sedation effect. The gas is given to you using a rubber mask that fits over your nose so the dentist can still access your mouth.
The gas is inhaled continuously throughout the procedure, and the dentist will ease you onto it and ease you off of it by varying the concentration of nitrous oxide. Many patients also report physical sensations, such as a warm or light vibration sensation in the body. If you experience nausea or dizziness while on laughing gas, tell the dentist right away or simply remove your mask: this is a sign that the concentration of nitrous oxide is too high for you. Laughing gas is unique compared to other dental sedation techniques such as a sedative pill or I.
How it looks, tastes and smells What does it look like? You may have seen these metal canisters lying around in streets outside bars and nightclubs. How do people take it? Nitrous oxide is inhaled. How it feels How does it make you feel? The risks Physical health risks It is very dangerous to inhale nitrous oxide directly from the canister, and doing it in an enclosed space is also very dangerous. Never place a plastic bag over your head. Other risks include: Dizziness, which might make you act carelessly or dangerously.
Heavy regular use of nitrous oxide can lead to a deficiency of vitamin B12 and to a form of anaemia. Severe B12 deficiency can lead to serious nerve damage, causing tingling and numbness in the fingers and toes. It was soon discovered the gas could relieve pain. But it was not a strong enough sedation to keep people feeling good through major surgeries. The right dosage will likely make you feel euphoric, lightheaded, tingling and warm, and it will reduce the amount of pain you feel. Since laughing gas makes you so happy, it can also make you laugh more easily thus the name.
Most importantly, laughing gas makes you feel relaxed so that you can have a comfortable dental experience. Typically, you start feeling these sensations a few seconds after you inhale laughing gas.
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