Laughing Gas, Nitrous oxide, N2O. Colorless gas, almost odorless (light sweeet odor), first discovered in 1793 by Joseph Priestley. Medical application as a mild sedative and analgesic. Technical application as propellant in aerosol cans in the foodstuffs industry (E 942), e.g. in cream spray bottles. For household also in form of small steel gas bottles in trade. Abuse as narcotic with briefly continuing effect in form of ballons, which are filled with technical laughing gas.
Effect and Risks
With low doses of laughing gas cramp-like laughter, recess of the voice, hallucinations (among other things erotic fantasies, which are felt as material) and intoxication conditions, absorption of the pain feeling. With higher dosage narcotic effect, which fades away after setting off after few minutes. No metabolization, laughing gas is breath off unchanged. Physical damage and dependence are not well-known, with repeated use it comes to tolerance development, which can lead to psychological dependence. By destruction of the vitamine B12-Complexes and long-term consumption can occur to damages of the nerve cells (polyneuropathy). Since laughing gas does not support the respiration, during too long continuing effect it can come due to oxygen deficiency to unconsciousness. Therefore, for narcotic usage in medicine, a laughing gas / oxygen mixture is used.
