Laughing gas, health risks of hippy crack

Nitrous oxide, popularly known as laughing gas or hippy crack, is a drug that has become fashionable among young people in Europe who seek its ephemeral effects of euphoria and relaxation. The use of this substance for recreational purposes is widespread, for example, among elite footballers in the United Kingdom, despite the fact that it is currently considered a Class C drug and its possession by inhalation is a criminal offense in Great Britain. This has not stopped its use and now a Premier League star whose identity has not been revealed has become the first footballer to receive treatment for his addiction to laughing gas, as reported by the British newspaper The Sun.

What is laughing gas, uses and effects

Nitrous oxide is a colorless, almost odorless, slightly sweet-tasting gas that was discovered in the 18th century and was initially used for medical purposes, but its recreational potential was soon discovered due to its euphoric and hallucinogenic effects when inhaled in large quantities. quantities. The popularity of recreational use of nitrous oxide increased in the 19th century, especially at fairs and circus shows, where it was sold in the form of inhalers or in balloons so that spectators could experience its hallucinogenic effects. Currently, it can be used, especially by young people between 16 and 25 years old, from in parks or private parties, to parked cars (party cars) or music festivals.

In the medical field it is used as a sedative and analgesic, especially in dentistry and minor surgery. It is also used in the food industry as an aerosol propellant; for example, in cream dispensers. Nitrous oxide comes in liquid or compressed gas format and is generally inhaled in a mixture of 65% oxygen and 35% nitrous oxide, explain from the Government Delegation for the National Plan on Drugs of the Ministry of Health, and add: “The administration route is inhaled through balloons that function as a reservoir to inhale it, so that it reaches the brain through the respiratory tract, acting as a depressant of the central nervous system.” Also using cylindrical metal cartridges known as wippets.

The effects of laughing gas are very rapid, but short-acting; They reach their peak between 10 and 30 seconds after inhaling it and end in a period of between one and five minutes, explain the European Observatory for Drugs and Drug Addiction. Although the effects may vary for each person, they generally combine:

• Feelings of euphoria and relaxation.
• Sensory distortions of time and space, which can affect sight and hearing.
• Laughter for no reason.
• Dreamy or psychedelic state.
• Feelings of indifference (dissociation).
• Insensitivity to pain.

Health risks of hippy crack or laughing gas

The consumption of laughing gas or hippy crack carries numerous health risks, as warned by the Ministry of Health, where they point out that it is a substance of “high availability and low price”, and that “there is a social perception of security in its consumption”. Among the main health problems that consumers may suffer are:

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Increased mucus and inflammation of the airways that can increase the chance of getting infections.
• Hypoxia or asphyxiation by retaining the gas in the lungs for too long or consuming it in closed spaces, since nitrous oxide displaces oxygen and reduces its supply to the brain.
• Seizures due to temporary lack of oxygen.
• Headache.
• Burns in the mouth and upper part of the respiratory tract due to inhalation of gas directly from the cartridges because it comes out of them at a very low temperature.
• Loss of coordination and balance that can lead to falls and injuries.
• Traffic accidents related to its consumption.

Serious adverse effects after inhaling laughing gas

Normally, the side effects disappear in a short time after stopping inhaling laughing gas, but if it is consumed in large quantities in a single session it can cause poisoning or hallucinations and the affected person will need medical attention, the Observatory warns. European Union for Drugs and Drug Addiction.

Its frequent and intensive use – they warn – “increases the risk of serious damage, such as neurotoxicity.” Furthermore, if hippy crack is combined with certain substances with depressant effects, such as alcohol, benzodiazepines and opioids, its central depressant action can increase. Other serious health problems that can be caused by long-term use are:

• Psychiatric symptoms: psychotic episodes, hallucinations…
• Mood alterations.
• Blood disorders, such as anemia.
• Drop in blood pressure that can trigger a myocardial infarction.
• Cognitive impairment due to recurrent episodes of hypoxia.
• Signs and symptoms of neurotoxicity, including: incoordination and tingling or numbness in the extremities, muscle weakness, loss of balance and difficulty walking, urinary incontinence, constipation, and sexual dysfunction…

Generally, the damage caused is mostly reversible, especially when detected and addressed early. However, some individuals may experience residual sensory or functional damage. There are isolated reports of permanent paralysis.

Using large tanks or cylinders to extract the gas can cause severe frostbite (extreme cold injuries) and lung damage due to the high pressure of the gas. These incidents demand immediate medical attention.

Deaths attributed to nitrous oxide are rare, with accidental asphyxiation being the most common cause. This usually occurs when the gas is inhaled using a mask or plastic bag over the head, limiting access to the necessary oxygen.

Is nitrous oxide sold in Spain for recreational purposes?

Nitrous oxide or laughing gas is marketed in Spain both for medical purposes and for industrial uses, as a propellant in cream siphons or in the automotive industry, but it is available at a low price and can be purchased online. in specialized kitchen stores and even in supermarkets, where the price of a small bottle is around 50 cents, so its use has become popular among young people who want to get high for little money.

Its marketing to inhale and get high is prohibited in Spain, since this use is considered fraudulent; however, Health reports that its consumption for recreational purposes has been detected in tourist areas of the Costa Brava, the Costa del Sol and the Balearic Islands.