Pierpaolo Morciano, a young Italian, died while celebrating his 26th birthday. According to investigations, the cause of death was inhalation of nitrous oxide or “laughing gas.”contained in the balloons that are usually used at parties. Morciano’s friends claim to have inhaled the substance until the young man suffered a sudden illness. In 2023, the United Kingdom restricted its recreational use, taking as an example the ban in the Netherlands; Now its dangers and health implications are being taken up again in Italy and other Western countries.
Last year, the UK recorded a number of hospital admissions of patients who had used the ‘recreational drug’; The data suggested that nitrous oxide was the second most consumed drug by young people between 16 and 24 years old, behind marijuana. Although it has been ingested for almost 250 years, the excessive use of “laughing gas” has spread in countries such as Spain and Italy. What is this “euphoric” substance, and why is it so popular?
What is nitrous oxide and what is it for?
Its chemical formula is N2Or, its scientific name is nitrous oxide, although in popular slang it is called “laughing gas.” It is associated with clinical practice, as it works as an analgesic that relieves pain during surgical interventions. In experienced hands it is a safe substance, useful for various procedures in pediatric offices, during childbirth and in dental clinics. Sedation is produced by inhalation, its action is rapid and so is its elimination from the body.
Due to its ability to depress the central nervous system, at low concentrations it can cause certain side effects such as dizziness, nausea and headaches. However, in concentrations that are too high it is dangerous and can cause loss of consciousness, respiratory depression, asphyxiation, drops in blood pressure, arrhythmias and death due to heart failure.
Its nickname comes from its psychoactive properties. It can cause states of euphoria and dissociative effects: disorientation and decreased anxiety. These sensations make it a recreational drug recognized and used since the 18th century and now, as the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) indicates in its latest report: “it is back in fashion among young people.” Since it is not classified as an “illicit drug”, nitrous oxide can be easily purchased, contained in cans or bottles similar to those of whipping cream.
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What are the risks of nitrous oxide?
There are various dangers associated with the improper or “recreational” use of this gas: If inhaled directly from the canisters, there is a risk of injury to the respiratory tract.such as frostbite burns to the lungs. Likewise, can affect the nervous system by interfering with the metabolism of vitamin B1this damages the protective layer that covers the nerves at the top of the spine.
As the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) points out, “regular and intensive use of the gas can cause neurotoxicity.” Likewise, paresthesias occur, that is, the sensation of tingling or stinging and numbness in the extremities. Injuries can also be more extensive and affect the nerves responsible for muscle control, so that the body feels weakened and finds it difficult to balance and walk. If the problem is identified and treated correctly, the damage is usually reversible, but cases of permanent paralysis do exist, although these are rare.
Article originally published in WIRED Italy. Adapted by Alondra Flores.
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