Ask Pat

What are the long term consequences of doing nitrous oxide?

Q)I am a freshman in college and I do nitrous oxide about twice a month (12-18 balloons a month). We do it safely; that is, out of balloons and not the crackers, we often hyperventilate before hand to stock the blood with oxygen, and we are sitting down while doing it. I have heard from others about some of the long term consequences like that it kills millions of brain cells each time. Is there any truth to this or is it a scare tactic? And if there is damage done how severe is it? Are there any ways of reducing the damage while still doing it?

A)

The danger with nitrous is not breathing enough oxygen while breathing the gas. Nitrous is an anesthetic gas that can make one unconscious, or at least disoriented so that one loses good judgement. There is an odd complication of prolonged use similar to a vitamin B12 deficiency. Use can also lead to a destruction of nerve fibers. This can include weakness, tingling sensations, or loss of feeling. Tolerance to nitrous can develop and euphoric properties diminish with repeated usage. Test of intellectual function with inhalant abusers show that they have problems with memory, attention, and concentration. Use can also damage heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, and blood.