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drug
checking questionaire
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| LAUGHING GAS |
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| Substance |
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The
active agent is dinitrogen monoxide (N2O). Laughing gas is available
as a gas in capsules (capsules for cream dispensers) or gas bottles
of various sizes. This gas is colourless and odourless and tastes
slightly sweet. It is usually inhaled from balloons.
There are two forms of laughing gas: the medical form (used as an
anaesthetic and subject to pharmaceuticals law) and the technical
form (used for tuning engines, less pure than the medical variety)
which may contain methyl nitrate, a gas that blocks the red blood
corpuscles and leads to oxygen deficiency.
Laughing gas is completely eliminated from the body about an hour
after it has been taken.
Laughing gas is also known as nitrous oxide.
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| Effects |
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The
drug takes effect after 5 to 10 seconds, and the effect lasts between
30 seconds and 4 minutes, depending on the duration of inhalation.
After 10 - 15 minutes, any sign of a high has disappeared.
There is a wide variety of effects: tingling all over, feeling of
warmth, feeling of happiness, voice becomes deeper, suppressed sensitivity
to pain, diminished sense of time. Possible too are visual hallucinations
(with the eyes open, vision as if through a veil, or tunnel vision;
with the eyes closed the user may see changing shapes and colours),
and also acoustic hallucinations (noises are muffled and perceived
to be quieter).
All recollection of the experience very quickly fades. |
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| Short-term side effects |
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There
is a risk of error in mixing oxygen and laughing gas. If the proportion
of laughing gas in the respiratory air is more than 90%, there is
a threat of acute loss of consciousness, and brain and organ damage
due to oxygen deficiency. Feelings of dizziness, exhaustion, numbness
in arms and legs, headaches and possible twitching of the limbs
are possible.
In the event of insufficient oxygen in the blood and the respiratory
air, there is a risk of asphyxiation.
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| Long-term side effects |
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When
laughing gas is used regularly in moderate to high doses, the nerves
may be damaged in a number of ways as laughing gas impairs the effectiveness
of B12 (the vitamin that protects the nerves) - this may lead to motor
disorders, manifested in tingling and possible subsequent numbness
in the limbs.
If oxygen deficiency occurs too frequently, brain cells may be irreversibly
damaged. This may have an affect on attentiveness.
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| Interaction with other drugs |
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When
laughing gas and alcohol are taken together, there is an increased
likelihood of nausea and vomiting.
Using laughing gas with poppers is also not advisable as this may
adversely affect the oxygen supply to the brain. |
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| Safer use |
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People
with disorders of the respiratory passages such as asthma should
not use laughing gas. The same applies to pregnant women, to people
with otitis (inflammation of the middle ear), fractured ribs or
who have suffered decompression sickness in the past - no laughing
gas!
N2O should never be directly inhaled from the capsule or gas bottle
- always transfer it first to a balloon or a condom.
NB: Always breathe fresh air in between. Put down the balloon several
times and don't inhale too much at once.
If possible, use the N2O in a sitting or lying position as you may
experience problems of balance - danger of a fall!
Do not put plastic bags over your head - danger of suffocation!
Always ensure that another person is close at hand.
Always ensure that you have a good source of vitamin B12 (protects
the nerves) - e.g. cornflakes, multivitamin juices.
Driving is dangerous under the influence of laughing gas!
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This
information is not intended to promote drug use. Laughing gas is not
controlled under the BtMG (Dangerous Drugs Act). Possessing, buying
and dealing in laughing gas are not punishable by law. This does not
mean that this substance is safe or that it can be used without risk! |
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