Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is covered legally by the Psychoactive Substance Act 2016, but is due to be placed as a Class C substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 by the end of 2023

Nitrous oxide is often referred to as ‘Laughing Gas’, ‘Hippy Crack’ or ‘NOS’. It is a mild hallucinogenic gas, which when consumed, can lead to a sense of euphoria, mild visual hallucinations and sound distortions. Risks associated to nitrous oxide are often linked to long-term use. This includes vitamin D deficiency, which could result in mood swings and depression-like symptoms, as well as vitamin B12 deficiency which is linked to irreversible damage to the brain and nervous system. Below are some simple steps to keeping as safe a possible when using nitrous oxide.

Research. Spend around two hours getting to know the facts, what to expect and potential side effects when using nitrous oxide. Knowing as much about the substance as possible allows you to make a more informed decision about whether to use it or not.

Don’t use alone. The risks associated to nitrous oxide may be relative low when compared to other drugs, but there are still risks. Therefore it is really important that if you do use the substance, you do so with other people around and preferably with a ‘sober’ friend. Drugs can affect different people in different ways and just because it didn’t affect your mate in a negative way, doesn’t mean it won’t for you. In case you need support or medical assistance, you will want someone around to help you out.

Be in a safe space. Nitrous oxide can affect your balance and coordination so preferably, sit down if you use. Be aware of your environment and avoid using near sharp objects, water or heat. It can also lead you to feeling disorientated, so it’s worth being in an environment you recognise and are familiar with.

Use a balloon. Never consume nitrous oxide straight from a canister or cylinder, as this could seriously damage your throat and lungs due to the cold temperature of the gas. There are pieces of equipment such as crackers or cream chargers, you can use to release the gas from the canister to a balloon, and then inhale from the balloon. However, one risk is not taking in enough oxygen, so ensure you take breaks and normal breaths between each inhalation from the balloon.

Do not put a bag over your head. Never put a bag over your head when you use nitrous oxide. This is extremely dangerous. Also, if you use nitrous oxide, use in well ventilated areas.

Do not mix with other drugs. Avoid using other drugs at the same time when consuming nitrous oxide. It can lead to uncertain and unpleasant effects and can lead to unpredictable effects on your blood pressure and heart rate.

Loss of feeling? Nitrous oxide is an anaesthetic therefore you may experience effects such as loss of feeling a reduced perception of pain. It could also lead you to feeling sick too.

Look after your mates. If you notice your mate is unable to move, fallen asleep or is unconscious, put them in the recovery position and regularly check on them. If needed, seek medical assistance.

Do not share. Avoid passing and sharing the balloon. Only use your own balloon and equipment, such as the cracker. Sharing anything increases the risk of transmitting infections.

Keep Wales tidy. If you use nitrous oxide, please be responsible and take your rubbish, including the canisters and balloons with you. Please pick up your own litter and dispose responsibly.

Reach out if you are worried. If you are worried about your own, or a loved one’s nitrous oxide use, get in touch with your local service. Here at Barod, we provide free, confidential support to anyone affected by substance use. You can chat to a trained support worker via our Live Webchat Service too.

There is a risk of overdose that can occur due to long-term exposure or from receiving too much gas.

Signs of a possible overdose:

Irritation of the nose, eyes and throat
Difficulty breathing
Choking or tightness in the chest
Rapid heart rate
Psychosis or hallucinations

What to do in the event of an overdose

Check for danger

Call 999
Keep the person awake and breathing.
Lay them on their side to prevent choking.
Stay with the person until emergency services have arrived.

Physical health-

Brain damage is a possibility when a person received a large dose of nitrous oxide without sufficient oxygen. If left untreated can increase risk of coma or death.
Reducing of blood pressure. Using nitrous oxide can increase blood pressure and raise the risk of a stoke and heart attack.

Mental health– Using nitrous oxide can increase the feelings of psychosis and intense feelings of paranoia.

Saving the pennies- Reducing the amount you use, means more money in your pocket to spend on other things that you enjoy, such as hobbies.

If you’re thinking of addressing your nitrous oxide use, don’t be afraid to reach out for help.

There are also some steps you can take yourself to help you cut down or quit:

Reach out for support. Services like Barod provide free, confidential one-to-one support for anyone affected by substance use. We also facilitate mutual aid groups, such as SMART Recovery, where people can gain peer support, from people who may find themselves in a similar situation. While accessing services may not always be possible for some, we’d still recommend reaching out to someone you feel could help you achieve your goals.

Look out for any ‘triggers’. It might be when you drink, or when you’re with certain people, for example.

Track your usage. Using tools such as mood diary can help you identify any potential patterns to your nitrous oxide use. Without knowing it, you could use nitrous oxide more at a certain time of the day or week, or when you are with certain people. Therefore, this provides you with a starting point of where you can start to cut down.

Use small canisters. Using the small canisters means you are able to control how much nitrous oxide you are consuming and you will be able to be aware of how much you inhale.

Start to make a plan. If you can figure out your triggers, you can start to make a plan. You might want to cut some triggers out completely or avoid combinations that give you cravings. Changing your habits or breaking off contact with certain friends can be difficult, but it often helps in the long term.

Identify and develop strategies for managing triggers. If you usually use nitrous oxide after drinking, you might want to cut down on alcohol as well. Some people don’t use nitrous oxide while they’re sober but are more likely to take risks while they’re drinking. Similarly, if you aware you will use nitrous oxide at house parties or raves, start to cut down the number of times you go per week, for example.

Plan ahead. Take a limited amount of cash out with you, and leave your bank card at home. This means you’re less likely to spend money on nitrous oxide. Ask your friends to help you stick to your money limit.

We provide support to anyone affected by nitrous oxide use, including those affected by a loved one’s use. Below is the list of areas we currently cover. Just click on the service for more information including their contact details. Alternatively, access our Live Webchat Service and speak to one of our trained support workers.

DDAS (Adults) and Choices West (Young People) – covering Dyfed including Llanelli, Carmarthen, Haverfordwest, Cardigan and Aberystwyth and everywhere in-between.

Swansea (Adults) and Choices Swansea (Young People) – covering the City and County of Swansea.

CTDAS (Adults) and Cwm Taf Young Persons – covering Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf including Pontypridd and Aberdare.

BDAS (Adults) and Bridgend Young Persons – Covering the Bridgend area.

CAVDAS (Adults) and CAVDAS Young Persons – Covering Cardiff and the Vale.

GDAS (Adults) and Gwent N-Gage (Young Persons) – covering Gwent including Newport, Ebbw Vale, Monthmouth, Caerphilly and Torfaen.

Sometimes it is hard to know where to start when you are concerned about a loved one and their substance use, especially how to start and have a conversation with them about their use. Here are some tips we have put together which may make having that conservation a little easier.

Stay Calm – when talking to a loved one about their substance use it can often be a very emotive subject and they may become defensive and angry. Stay calm in order to reduce the conversation escalating into an argument. It is very difficult to argue with a calm person.

Time – choose a time that is good for both of you. If they are intoxicated or have had a bad day this may not be the best time to talk about their substance use. Choose a time when you are both calm and don’t have any distractions around so you can have a meaningful conversation.

Listen – it is important to allow your loved one to talk – that is the whole point of a conversation. Listen carefully to what they are saying and don’t interrupt.

Don’t be judgmental – your loved one probably knows that their substance use is having an impact on the people around them and often feel a great sense of guilt and shame. You may not agree with their actions but try not to judge or accuse them as they probably already feel judged by the people around them and may become defensive.

Ask open questions – ask questions where it is difficult to give one word answers. This can help a conversation flow and avoids an easy “yes” or “no” answer.

Positives – your loved one is probably very aware of all the negative things they may be doing. Try and let them know of the positives they are doing. Everyone likes to know when they are doing something good and it encourages us to keep doing that positive thing.

Knowledge – research information on drugs and alcohol. It may help you understand some of their behaviours and recognise when they are intoxicated and what support is available.

Get support – Barod offer support for loved ones who may be concerned or affected by someone else’s drug or alcohol use as well as support for loved ones who are using substances.

Sometimes a loved one may not be ready to have a conversation about their substance use. It is important to let them know you are there and ready to have that conversation. Don’t be disheartened if they don’t wish to talk about their substance use straight away, the fact you have approached the subject in a non judgmental and supportive way shows them you care.