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What harm does nitrous oxide usage inflict to the user or to the society and how is its criminalization meant to do any good to anybody, let alone more good tha

What harm does nitrous oxide usage inflict to the user or to the society and how is its criminalization meant to do any good to anybody, let alone more good than harm?

yellow_lead 3y ago
To the user, over a period of time, brain damage
- orwin 3y ago
  Nerve damage to be exact. Loss of mobility/dexterity and of some proprioception (not temporary) were reported after nitrous oxide anesthesia since at least the 90s (I actually think it's before but I can't research it right now).
rightbyte 3y ago
I guess the risk is getting to little oxygen if inhaled in concentrated form? At the dentist it is mixed with oxygen. Doesn't warrant a total ban on for fun use though. Maybe pubs shouldn't sell it ... Also long term use might lead to chronic problems.
helsinkiandrew 3y ago
Mainly people are taking this outside of home and often whilst driving, cycling, or riding scooters: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/aug/09/cardiff-crash-victims-had-been-drinking-and-inhaling-nitrous-oxide-court-papers-show https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/aug/09/cardiff-cras... https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/mum-high-laughing-gas-crashes-30159759 https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/mum-high-laughing-gas-... It's quickly become the 2nd biggest killer of the volatile substances. I guess it also doesn't have many legitimate uses compared with others (glues and fuels etc): https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/articles/deathsrelatedtovolatilesubstancesheliumandnitrogeninenglandandwales/2001to2020registrations#volatile-substance-related-deaths-by-selected-substances https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsde...
A1kmm 3y ago
In terms of the harm to the user: nitrous oxide oxidises the cobalt in cobalamin (B12), rendering it inactive. Serious B12 deficiency from heavy use over a long period of time can (and does in practice, although not necessarily that commonly) cause permanent disability (neurological damage, leading to weakness etc...). It can also cause more acute harm if people inhale it without enough oxygen. Going after users is unlikely to be a net positive for harm reduction, compared to increasing education on the risks, and maybe some kind of regulation on how and where it is sold.
RichardCA 3y ago
It occasionally kills people. It can be lethal in enclosed spaces. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-03-07-mn-3546-story.html https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-03-07-mn-3546-s... https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/asphyxial-deaths-recreational-use-nitrous-oxide https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/asphyxia...

What harm does nitrous oxide usage inflict to the user or to the society and how is its criminalization meant to do any good to anybody, let alone more good than harm?

yellow_lead 3y ago

To the user, over a period of time, brain damage

orwin 3y ago
Nerve damage to be exact. Loss of mobility/dexterity and of some proprioception (not temporary) were reported after nitrous oxide anesthesia since at least the 90s (I actually think it's before but I can't research it right now).

rightbyte 3y ago

I guess the risk is getting to little oxygen if inhaled in concentrated form? At the dentist it is mixed with oxygen. Doesn't warrant a total ban on for fun use though. Maybe pubs shouldn't sell it ... Also long term use might lead to chronic problems.

helsinkiandrew 3y ago

Mainly people are taking this outside of home and often whilst driving, cycling, or riding scooters: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/aug/09/cardiff-crash-victims-had-been-drinking-and-inhaling-nitrous-oxide-court-papers-show https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/aug/09/cardiff-cras... https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/mum-high-laughing-gas-crashes-30159759 https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/mum-high-laughing-gas-... It's quickly become the 2nd biggest killer of the volatile substances. I guess it also doesn't have many legitimate uses compared with others (glues and fuels etc): https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/articles/deathsrelatedtovolatilesubstancesheliumandnitrogeninenglandandwales/2001to2020registrations#volatile-substance-related-deaths-by-selected-substances https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsde...

A1kmm 3y ago

In terms of the harm to the user: nitrous oxide oxidises the cobalt in cobalamin (B12), rendering it inactive. Serious B12 deficiency from heavy use over a long period of time can (and does in practice, although not necessarily that commonly) cause permanent disability (neurological damage, leading to weakness etc...). It can also cause more acute harm if people inhale it without enough oxygen. Going after users is unlikely to be a net positive for harm reduction, compared to increasing education on the risks, and maybe some kind of regulation on how and where it is sold.

RichardCA 3y ago

It occasionally kills people. It can be lethal in enclosed spaces. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-03-07-mn-3546-story.html https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-03-07-mn-3546-s... https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/asphyxial-deaths-recreational-use-nitrous-oxide https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/asphyxia...