Nitrous Oxide Safety Information

Learn more about nitrous oxide use, health risks, safety considerations, and resources for treating nitrous oxide use disorder.

About Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous Oxide (N20), also known as “laughing gas,” is a commonly used gas used in healthcare settings for general anesthesia, procedural sedation, dental anesthesia, and to treat severe pain. It also is used in culinary grade food production, most commonly as a propellant in aerosol whipped cream dispensers.

In recent years, nitrous oxide has become a popular recreational substance that induces rapid euphoric and hallucinogenic effects. One 2021 Global Drug Survey lists it as the 13th most popular recreational drug in the world. It is available for sale online, or sometimes in smoke/vape shops, and gas stations in the form of canisters, tanks, and chargers. Nitrous oxide products are sold under various product brand names (see below) and are marketed as both unflavored and flavored.   

A collection of four various nitrous oxide (N2O) whipped cream chargers and their packaging, including brands like Hotwhip, Galaxy Gas, Cream, and Mass Gass. The canisters are shown next to colorful boxes featuring images of whipped cream and cotton candy.

Intentional misuse or inhalation of these cartridges or tanks—often referred to as “whippets”, "nags," "balloons," "NOX,” or “galaxy gas"—can deprive the brain of oxygen and lead to serious side effects including sudden loss of consciousness, and in some cases death. 

Health Risks

Nitrous Oxide deprives the brain of oxygen, leading to side effects that include:

  • Dizziness
  • Limb weakness
  • Confusion
  • Lack of coordination
  • Loss of consciousness

Serious side effects include:

  • Nerve damage
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Palpitations
  • Memory problems
  • Paralysis
  • Psychiatric disturbances (delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, depression)
  • Difficulty walking
  • Vitamin B12 deficiency
  • Suffocation
  • Death

Individuals who regularly inhale nitrous oxide may experience prolonged neurological effects, including spinal cord or brain damage, even after stopping use. People who use Nitrous Oxide regularly are likely to develop dependence (or a substance use disorder). 

When to Seek Treatment

If someone shows signs of a nitrous oxide overdose including severe dizziness, blueish skin/lips, loss of consciousness, or difficulty breathing, immediately call 911.

If you or someone you love is experimenting with nitrous oxide or similar substances, please contact the Behavioral Health Department at 1-800-838-1381 for more information on substance use disorder treatment.

Nitrous Oxide Laws in California

Although nitrous oxide is not a federally controlled substance, several California counties and cities have enacted or are considering expanded legislation to regulate nitrous oxide possession, sale, and distribution.

Existing California law makes it a misdemeanor to: 

  1. Possess nitrous oxide with the intent of inhaling it for specified purposes, including to cause intoxication.
  2. To sell nitrous oxide to any person under 18 years of age. 
  3. To dispense nitrous oxide to a person and knowing that the person will use it for specified prohibited purposes, if that person then causes death or great bodily injury to themselves or another person.

To learn more about the regulations and health effects of other substances, please visit:
• Cannabis Health and Safety Information       
• Kratom Health and Safety Information
• Resources for Tobacco Retailers


Resources

For more information regarding the health and safety considerations related to Nitrous Oxide:

Questions?

If you have questions that aren’t answered here, please contact the Behavioral Health Department or Public Health Department.


FAQs

Nitrous oxide products are sold under multiple brand names including, but not limited to: 

  • Cosmic Gas
  • Baking Bad 
  • Galaxy Gas 
  • HOTWHIP  
  • MassGass 
  • Monster Gas 
  • Whip-it! 
  • Euro Gas 
  • Goo Sticks 
  • Cloud 9ine 
  • Miami Magic 
  • InfusionMax
  • ExoticWhip
  • FastGas
  • NITROX
Nitrous oxide products are sold at online stores like Amazon, Ebay and in retail smoke/vape shops and gas stations.
The inhalant is an increasingly popular recreational substance, particularly among teenagers and young adults (aged 20–39 years), offering users a low cost and currently legal option. It is frequently promoted by internet influencers and is easily accessible online and widely available at vape stores, grocery and convenience stores, and gas stations
Nitrous oxide use induces a rapid onset of euphoric, anxiolytic, and hallucinogenic effects that are short-lived, disappearing within minutes. These "short term" euphoric effects cause users to repeatedly use nitrous oxide to achieve a longer high.

Nitrous Oxide deprives the brain of oxygen, leading to side effects including dizziness, limb weakness, confusion, lack of coordination, loss of consciousness. Serious side effects include nerve damage, numbness or tingling, palpitations, memory problems, paralysis, psychiatric disturbances (delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, depression), tingling, trouble walking, vitamin B12 deficiency, suffocation, and death.

Individuals who continuously and regularly inhale nitrous oxide may experience prolonged neurological effects, including spinal cord or brain damage, even after stopping use. People who use Nitrous Oxide regularly are likely to develop dependence (or a substance use disorder)

Serious injury can occur If inhaling directly from tanks as nitrous oxide gas is intensely cold (minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit) and can cause frostbite to the nose, lips and throat (including vocal cords). As the gas is also under constant pressure, it can cause ruptures in lung tissue when inhaled directly from these containers. Faulty gas dispensers can explode and cause harm. Dispensing several gas canisters consecutively with one cracker can also cause cold burns to the hands.