Discarded little metal cylinders in city park, Vancouver
I encountered at least 30 scattered little blue cylinders discarded in a city park recently. They were empty cartridges of nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”). This was the first time I have seen them in my hometown.
Nitrous oxide is used in medicine for its sedative and anesthetic properties. It was first synthesized by Joseph Priestley in 1772, and its psychogenic properties were soon discovered by Humphry Davy. It briefly became a recreational drug in the late 18th century. Its primary medical uses are in anesthesia, dentistry and childbirth, but it is always used along with oxygen.
Because of its sedative effects, it is a substance of abuse for inducing feelings of euphoria, relaxation and calmness. Nitrous oxide is often misused in the form of whippets - small, steel, pressurized canisters containing the gas used for mixing and dispensing whipped cream both at home and in the food industry. Although purchases of nitrous oxide are regulated, it is not illegal to possess the drug. Nitrous oxide abuse are popular among adolescents and young adults in raves, clubs, and parties. A Global Drug Survey listed nitrous oxide as the fourth most used drug in the UK, behind ecstasy, cocaine and cannabis. The 2018/2019 Crime Survey for England Wales reported that among 16 to 24 year old in the UK, 8.7% had used laughing gas in the past year and it was the second most popular substance behind cannabis for that age group. In Holland, between 40 and 80% of clubbers and ravers said they were using nitrous oxide because it is cheap and is readily available. A 2014 Global Drug Survey reported that 29.4% of US respondents abused nitrous oxide at any point in their lives, even once.
Although nitrous oxide is often considered low risk and offering a short, harmless burst of euphoria, there were 25 deaths directly linked to the gas between 2010 and 2016. The majority of those deaths were due to asphyxiation caused by people using plastic bags to inhale the gas. When people use canisters, the gas can be very cold and can burn. A cold shock in the throat can also affect the vagus nerve and cause a sudden slowing of the heart rate.
UPDATE: On February 23, 2023, BBC News publishes an article related to this issue. It reiterates that Nitrous oxide, sold in metal canisters, is one of the most commonly used drugs by 16 to 24-year-olds. Heavy use can lead to a vitamin deficiency that damages nerves in the spinal cord, resulting in being unable to walk, falling over or experiencing tingling or loss of sensation in their feet and hands. Some have nerve-related bladder or bowel problems or incontinence. Medics need to be on alert because few mention nitrous oxide use.
www.bbc.com/news/health-64718233
Discarded little metal cylinders in city park, Vancouver
I encountered at least 30 scattered little blue cylinders discarded in a city park recently. They were empty cartridges of nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”). This was the first time I have seen them in my hometown.
Nitrous oxide is used in medicine for its sedative and anesthetic properties. It was first synthesized by Joseph Priestley in 1772, and its psychogenic properties were soon discovered by Humphry Davy. It briefly became a recreational drug in the late 18th century. Its primary medical uses are in anesthesia, dentistry and childbirth, but it is always used along with oxygen.
Because of its sedative effects, it is a substance of abuse for inducing feelings of euphoria, relaxation and calmness. Nitrous oxide is often misused in the form of whippets - small, steel, pressurized canisters containing the gas used for mixing and dispensing whipped cream both at home and in the food industry. Although purchases of nitrous oxide are regulated, it is not illegal to possess the drug. Nitrous oxide abuse are popular among adolescents and young adults in raves, clubs, and parties. A Global Drug Survey listed nitrous oxide as the fourth most used drug in the UK, behind ecstasy, cocaine and cannabis. The 2018/2019 Crime Survey for England Wales reported that among 16 to 24 year old in the UK, 8.7% had used laughing gas in the past year and it was the second most popular substance behind cannabis for that age group. In Holland, between 40 and 80% of clubbers and ravers said they were using nitrous oxide because it is cheap and is readily available. A 2014 Global Drug Survey reported that 29.4% of US respondents abused nitrous oxide at any point in their lives, even once.
Although nitrous oxide is often considered low risk and offering a short, harmless burst of euphoria, there were 25 deaths directly linked to the gas between 2010 and 2016. The majority of those deaths were due to asphyxiation caused by people using plastic bags to inhale the gas. When people use canisters, the gas can be very cold and can burn. A cold shock in the throat can also affect the vagus nerve and cause a sudden slowing of the heart rate.
UPDATE: On February 23, 2023, BBC News publishes an article related to this issue. It reiterates that Nitrous oxide, sold in metal canisters, is one of the most commonly used drugs by 16 to 24-year-olds. Heavy use can lead to a vitamin deficiency that damages nerves in the spinal cord, resulting in being unable to walk, falling over or experiencing tingling or loss of sensation in their feet and hands. Some have nerve-related bladder or bowel problems or incontinence. Medics need to be on alert because few mention nitrous oxide use.
www.bbc.com/news/health-64718233