Nangs are popular among juvenile people. But do they be aware of sedate damage to nitric oxide?

Nitrogen oxide – also known as laughter gas or nang – is economical, widely available and popular among juvenile people.

However, he often flies under the radar in public health programs and educational conditions. For example, this is not included in the drug education curriculum in Australian schools.

IN Our new studyWe talked to juvenile people (aged 18 to 25) who used nitrous oxide. We discovered that they are not aware of their risk – even when they reported symptoms such as “cerebral fog” and convulsions.

What is nitrogen oxygen?

Nitrogen oxide is regularly used for sedation and soothing pain in dentistry and delivery.

Gas, which has no color or taste, is also used recreationally and is known as Nangs, Nose, Whippits and Balloons.

In fact, nitrogen oxide was used Stay intoxicated since its creation in 1722 and was not used in the operation until 1842. It can create a feeling of dissociation from the body, changes in perception and euphoria. It lasts about a minute.

In Australia, nitrogen oxide is economical and available. This is because gas is also used in bakingFor example, to kill the cream.

So, although the sale of nitrogen oxide for recreational operate is not legal, canisters or “bulbs” are widely available online via 24-hour delivery services.

People usually unload gas to a balloon or whipped cream dispenser, and then inhale. Nitrous oxide It is intensely cold – minus 40 degrees Celsius.

How is this common?

We still don’t have much data about who uses nitrous oxide and how often. Compared to other drugsThere are minimal research on its recreational operate.

However, scientists believe that they are becoming more and more often around the world, especially among juvenile people.

For example, in 2022, nitrogen oxide was the second most significant controlled substance among 16-24 years in Great Britain cannabis.

In January 2023, the Netherlands forbade the sale and possession of nitrous oxide After 1800 road accidents, including 63 fatal accidents, were associated with medicines over three years.

. Global drug examination reported to double the operate of nitrogen oxide in 2015–2021, from 10% of respondents to 20%. But this voluntary survey is not representative of all people using drugs. Although this indicates the operate of nitric oxide of people, the image remains heterogeneous.

What are the health hazards?

Nitrogen oxygen is not the most harmful drug, but it Does not do it safe.

Inhaling the nitrous oxide has miniature -term health threats, in this:

The operate of a huge amount of nitrous oxide can cause fainted (due to lack of oxygen) and seizures. Calling an ambulance is necessary if this happens.

Long -term health problems may include:

• Loss of vitamin B12 (causing the numbness of the hands and feet and ultimately paralysis)

• Urinary incontinence

• strokes

• Memory loss

• Mental health conditions, including depression and psychosis.

Availability of much larger canisters (including flavor varieties) is also related to Increase in significant damage. They can provide about 70 times more nitrous oxide as established miniature canisters.

Larger bulbs allow people to consume more gas at the same time and often experience health problems more as a result.

However, it is still limited knowledge About nitrous oxide in the healthcare system. This means that his health threats are often found because they are omitted by people assessing diseases and because people deny its operate.

Our research

During the first stage of our 2025 Australian StudyWe conducted interviews with seven juvenile people (aged 18 to 25) who used nitrogen oxygen at least ten times.

While the number of interlocutors was miniature, the stories they told were very similar.

They were not aware of the potential risk of drug or not taken over. This happens despite their own experiences of psychological and physical problems.

They reported that they were becoming unconscious, burning out of gas on their hands and faces, wounds around the mouth, and even having attacks.

Particular fears were to operate before driving, because people did not recognize the persistent effect of gas on concentration.

Our study participants also talked about “memory staples” or “brain fog”. Regular operate of nitrous oxide influenced people’s ability to participate in work and study, and some claim that it was also harmful to their mental health.

These problems of thinking are a disturbing side effect. However, this has not been properly examined.

The role of social media

Movies of juvenile people using nitrogen oxide can be easily found on social media. This not only indicates its popularity, but suggests that social media can be a good place to reach juvenile people Drug information and damage reduction.

In the second stage of our research, we worked with 30 juvenile people who used nitrous oxide to co -create damage reduction resources.

As a group, we have developed movies, photos and text for ours Social media accounts specific to nitrous oxide on TIK TOK I Instagram and to posts on different Sub-Reddits.

They describe ways to operate more safely. For example “Take a breath“Messages suggest breathing nitrous oxide for just ten seconds at once to ensure enough oxygen. “Sit down“He advises to sit while using Nang to avoid the fall of injuries.