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Nitrous
oxide
not
just your innocent whipped cream making gas
By Mina Solanki
Sales of nitrous oxide in
the Netherlands have risen by 400 percent in the last two years.
Many people may have
noticed an increasing presence of little silver canisters littering the streets
in the Netherlands.
These are whipped-cream
chargers, steel cylinders filled with nitrous oxide, used as a whipping agent
in whipped cream dispensers.
This is not their only
current use, however.
By dispensing the nitrous
oxide into a balloon and then inhaling it, the canisters can be used to achieve
a high.
What is
Nitrous Oxide?
Nitrous oxide, commonly
known as laughing gas, is a non-flammable, colourless gas compound of nitrogen
and oxygen.
Discovered in 1772 by
Joseph Priestley and later named by Sir Humphry Davy, who demonstrated its
physiological effect, it is often used for its anaesthetic properties in surgeries
or dentistry.
Other common uses include
rocket propellants, motor racing and whipped cream.
In addition to these many
uses, nitrous oxide is also used recreationally by party-goers as it allows
them to achieve a feeling of euphoria.
Blokker
and other sales points
Since the canisters are
officially intended for household use, they can easily be obtained in large
household supply stores, such as famous chain the Blokker.
Nitrous Oxide is not
currently on the prescription medicine list, so it can easily be sold over the
counter.
Some companies do try to
monitor their sales by refusing to sell to underage customers, or requesting
intended use when processing a big order.
One canister can last a
long time as a whipped-cream charger, but users who inhale the substance can
easily go through several units in one go.
Therefore, large quantities
purchased by individuals can easily arouse suspicion.
How does
laughing gas affect you?
When inhaled, laughing gas
can affect you in a number of ways, and as with many drugs, the effects depend
on the person taking them and how much of the drug is used.
Although many users deny
any similarities to real drug use, the use of laughing gas falls under the
inhalant-depressant-drug category, along with adhesives and solvents, and slows
down the body and brain’s responses.
One may feel euphoric, calm
and relaxed after taking it.
One may also experience
dizziness, difficulty in thinking straight and fits of laughter.
Some have even reported
sound distortions and hallucinations. A headache can also accompany the
inhalation of the gas.
What are
the risks involved?
As the laughing gas can
make you dizzy, you are at risk of falling or making a bad judgement call and
injuring yourself.
Depending upon the way in
which the gas is administered, you are at risk of damaging your lungs.
One may also be at risk of
unconsciousness or death. This occurs when nitrous oxide replaces the air in
the lungs causing asphyxiation (suffocation).
This is more likely to
occur if the gas is inhaled in an enclosed space or via a mask or plastic bag,
which covers both the nose and mouth.
Taking too much nitrous
oxide at one time can cause fainting and lead to accidents.
Effects
after long-term use
Using nitrous oxide heavily
and regularly can cause a deficiency in vitamin B12.
Deficiency in B12 can lead
to serious nerve damage, which one experiences as tingling and numbness in the
extremities. One may also have difficulty walking and feel pain in the affected
areas.
A severe deficiency can
also depress the formation of white blood cells.
For more information on the
drug see FRANK.
Mina
Solanki
Completed
her Master's degree at the University of Groningen and worked as a translator before
joining IamExpat. She loves to read and has a particular interest in Greek
mythology. In addition to this, she is an avid rower.
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