 Street Names
- laughing gas
- buzz bomb
- hippie crack
- whippets
Methods of Use
- Nitrous Oxide is becoming increasingly popular among the clubs and dance venues of the UK.
- Balloons filled with 'laughing gas' can be bought for £2.50 on the entrance to some clubs.
- The canisters used for pressurised whipped cream dispensers contain nitrous oxide.
The Effects
- The 'head rush' gained from inhaling this gas can be similar to the effects of alcohol but a more intense, short lasting blast.
- It can last around 2 minutes, giving a euphoric feeling followed by giggles, dizziness, distorted sound and slurred speech. This effect is caused by starving the body of oxygen.
The Health Risk
- Unconsciousness - usually caused by homemade masks, headaches, vomiting, loss of co-ordination, nerve damage - tingling, numbness, paralysis, sudden sniffing death syndrome (SSDS)
The Law
- Possession of Nitrous Oxide in the UK for non-inhalant purposes is leagal for those over 18 years of age.
- It is illegal to sell Nitrous Oxide to a person under the age of 18, but Internet sales makes this law difficult to regulate.
- It is illegal to inhale Nitrous Oxide but within our legal system this law is rarely enforced.
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Nitrous Oxide