[Paracelsus]

How does this version look? I didn’t add much, I only reworded and reorganized the article so it is easier to read and understand. And made some more minor corrections and add-ons.

Cakes: Sorry for your work, but some of your corrections are gone because I reworded some parts of the article.

Since N2O can simply be purchased in stores, I do not see reasons to provide ways to make it yourself. This will only lead to dangerous situations.

I shortened the ammonium nitrate pyrolysis to a point which can not anymore be considered a way to make it yourself. I just left it there as a warning for enthusiasts.
I removed the other reactions that result in nitrous.
I briefly mentioned the automotive nitrous purification issue, pointing out that there is not enough information available at this time. As a side note, two persons from this forum (both are gone) say that it works with water in a pressurized container. Other internet sources (most have copied from the usenet, where info has been posted in the middle 90’s) say it has to be bubbled through a strong base like NaOH, others say baking soda dissolved in water is enough.

The introduction needs more text

It had 139 words in the first version, now it has 183. I can’t think of anything more to write in the introduction.

NITROUS OXIDE

[This article isn’t ready yet, my comments are written in bold letters.]

Introduction to nitrous oxide

Nitrous oxide is a colourless gas with a slightly sweet odor. Nitrous oxide is a dissociative drug which was discovered in 1772 and is commonly used since the early 1800s.

The psychological effects of nitrous oxide have been discovered in 1799 by Humphrey Davy. When it is inhaled, nitrous oxide can cause euphoria, sedation, analgesia (pain relief), laughter/giggling, dissociation of the mind from the body, auditive distortions, visual hallucinations (rare), and other phenomena. In 1800, Humphrey Davy started marketing nitrous oxide as a recreational drug. Nitrous oxide was called ‘laughing gas’ and its use became popular at all kinds of social events, where it was commonly sold for entertainment. In modern times, nitrous oxide is sometimes used at parties, usually filled into balloons and inhaled from them.

Because it is sedating and analgesic, nitrous oxide is used as an anaesthetic in dentistry and sometimes in surgery. Nitrous oxide is also used in the dairy industry, in car racing, in welding and in rocket engines.

Other names for nitrous oxide are: N2O, dinitrogen monoxide, E942 (food additive), nitrous, laughing gas, NOS, hippie crack, etc.

Using nitrous oxide

Ways of using nitrous oxide
In order to produce its dissociative effects, nitrous oxide has to be inhaled, usually by mouth.

A common source for nitrous oxide are so-called ‘whippets’, which are small canisters that contain pressurized nitrous oxide. These are normally used in special devices for dispensing whipped cream. With a ‘cracker’, whippets can be opened and the nitrous oxide released into a balloon, from which it then can be inhaled. Both whippets and crackers can be obtained from several online suppliers and in headshops. I will expand this paragraph with instructions on how exactly to use a cracker to dispense nitrous into balloons.

Another common source for nitrous oxide are whipped cream cans. These contain cream and nitrous oxide as a propellant. Whipped cream cans are usually more expensive than whippets, but are used mainly because they are readily available in most places. Nitrous oxide can be inhaled from whipped cream cans by letting them stand vertically for about 2-3 minutes, then putting the mouth on the opening and pressing on the opening to release the nitrous oxide, which can be inhaled until whipped cream starts to come out of the can. It is also possible to transfer nitrous oxide from a whipped cream can into a balloon, from which it can be inhaled easier.

Nitrous oxide can be administered by connecting a tank of nitrous oxide to a breathing mask, for continuous administration. This method can be quite dangerous, for several reasons: continuous administration of pure nitrous oxide will result in hypoxia or anoxia (lack of oxygen), accidents due to equipment may happen (improper connection between tank and mask, etc.), the tank may run out of nitrous oxide (and the user will have nothing to breathe) and the user may stay under the influence of nitrous oxide for a very long time, which can be dangerous. If this method is used, at least 20% oxygen has to be added to the nitrous oxide and the user has to be under permanent supervision. If pure nitrous oxide is used by this method, no more than a few inhalations have to be done (maximum one minute).

Effects of nitrous oxide
Nitrous oxide can produce the following effects: giggling, euphoria, auditive distortions (flanging of sound), analgesia (pain relief, sometimes numbing), loss of balance, tingling or numbing in extremities, dissociation (detaching from reality, out-of-body experiences) and dream-like states. When nitrous oxide administration is prolonged, the user usually falls unconscious and can experience dreams and visions, out-of-body experiences and sometimes mystical and religious experiences. Altered thought patterns (usually involving strange arrangements of words) are sometimes observed.

Nitrous oxide enters the body quickly, through the alveoles in the lungs, being transported through the blood. Nitrous oxide is fat soluble, and its psychoactive effects are probably caused by the presence of nitrous oxide in synapses (connections between brain cells), although some sources consider nitrous oxide a NMDA receptor antagonist (the pharmacology of nitrous oxide is not well understood).

The effects of a single inhalation of nitrous oxide start almost instantly, usually a few seconds after inhaling. The effects peak about 10-20 seconds after inhalation, and they diminish as quickly as they began. If nitrous oxide administration is prolonged, the effects reach a plateau about 30-60 seconds after the first breath, and diminish a few seconds after nitrous oxide is no longer administered. Mild sedation, feeling of well-being and sometimes headache (especially with prolonged administration) can be felt up to 30 minutes after coming down.

Combinations with nitrous oxide
Nitrous oxide combines very well with most psychoactives, combinations with hallucinogenic drugs being usually considered the most pleasant ones. Drugs-Forum has received positive reports about combining nitrous oxide with 2C-I, cannabis, DXM, Psilocybe mushrooms, etc. I’m sure there are more nice combos with nitrous. I’ll add more.

Other uses for nitrous oxide
Nitrous oxide is bacteriostatic (stops bacteria growth), fat soluble and does not leave residues, taste or odor, which makes it useful as an aerosol propellant in the dairy industry. In whipped cream cans, nitrous oxide is held under pressure where it becomes a liquid and mixed with liquid cream. When released from the can, together with the cream, nitrous oxide expands, foaming the cream. Nitrous oxide works similar when used in special whipped cream dispensers.

In car racing, nitrous oxide is ususally injected into the intake manifold in order to increase engine power. This is achieved because nitrous oxide supplies more oxygen to the engine than air, allowing the engine to work faster, and because the nitrous oxide expands in the intake manifold, the temperature drops, making a denser charge possible. Nitrous oxide used in car racing is contaminated with sulphur dioxide to discourage human consumption and should not be used recreationally.

Nitrous oxide has been used medically as a mild anesthetic since 1863, in dentistry, surgery and childbirth. Nitrous oxide has replaced other medically used anesthetics (chloroform, diethyl ether), which have a higher toxicity. In a medical setting, nitrous oxide is usually administered through a mask with 20% oxygen, to prevent oxygen deprivation. Today, nitrous oxide is used commonly in dentistry, in order to produce analgesia or to calm down anxious patients. Nitrous oxide is also used for analgesia in patients who are or are thought to be allergic to other analgetica (especially children).

Cakes said nitrous is also used in welding. That makes some sense, because nitrous is an oxidizing agent, which is useful in welding. I’ll have to find some more info on this.

The dangers of nitrous oxide

Short-term dangers of nitrous oxide
Nitrous oxide can produce acute adverse effects in some users, and some of its dissociative effects may represent dangers to the user. Possible adverse effects of nitrous oxide include: nausea (especially when used repeatedly and/or in combination with alcohol) which can lead to vomiting (can be dangerous to the user, because he/she can fall unconscious on nitrous oxide and choke on his/her vomit) and headaches, during and after the experience. Because nitrous oxide can cause loss of motor control, inhaling it when standing can be dangerous. Nitrous oxide should not be used in any situation in which sudden unconciuosness may be dangerous (standing, driving, operating machinery, etc.).

Long-term dangers of nitrous oxide
Nitrous oxide interacts with vitamin B12 synthesis in the human body by interfering with the enzyme methionine synthase, depleting the body of vitamin B12. Also, in a scientific study, it was shown that 24 hours of exposure to nitrous oxide caused interferences with DNA synthesis.

When nitrous oxide is used heavily and over an extended period of time, vitamin B12 depletion will probably become a major problem, as it can cause brain and nerve damage. Physical symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include: tingling sensation in extremities, paresthesias (no sense of touch and pain), difficulties with motor control (can lead to inability to walk), etc. If a frequent user of nitrous oxide experiences one or more of the above symptoms, it is vital to cease the use immediately and consume healthy amounts of vitamin B12 and other vitamins. If symptoms persist or get worse, a physician has to be contacted. There are some reported cases of chronic nitrous oxide use resulting in the symptoms mentioned above. However, virtually all of the patients used nitrous oxide excessively, up to 400 whippets each week, over the period of several months.

Heavy use of nitrous oxide can result in lower amounts of lymphocytes of the blood (results in a weakened immune system), reproductive disturbances and hyperhomocysteinemia (a risk factor in vascular disease).

Because the effects caused by nitrous oxide are pleasant and very short, many users desire another dose. Sometimes, this continues until no more nitrous oxide is available to the user. This compulsive use of nitrous oxide can lead to psychological addiction in some users, which can lead to excessive use (dangerous for the reasons stated above) and deterioration of personality.

Nitrous oxide contraindications
Nitrous oxide should be avoided by pregnant women. High doses of nitrous oxide have been proven to be teratogenic in rodents, and also other conditions caused by chronic use of nitrous oxide (vitamin B12 depletion, hyperhomocysteinemia) can result in a malformed child if the user is pregnant.

Dangerous or negative interactions with nitrous oxide
Alcohol can increase the likelyhood of nausea when combined with nitrous oxide.

Indirect dangers of nitrous oxide
The dangers not directly related to nitrous oxide are mostly present because nitrous oxide is often used from pressurized containers, without constant oxygen supply, or from sources that may contain contaminants. Also, other compounds like carbon dioxide and nitric oxide may be mistaken for nitrous oxide.

Nitrous oxide is commonly used from tanks or whippets, which contain liquefied nitrous oxide which is under pressure. If nitrous oxide is administered directly from a whippet or tank, the expanding gas will be very cold and is capable of freezing lips and throat of the user. The gas is also under constant pressure and can cause ruptures in lung tissue. Both dangers can be prevented by releasing the nitrous oxide into a balloon before inhalation, so it will warm up and have normal pressure when inhaled.

If nitrous oxide is administered pure, without supplemental oxygen, it can cause hypoxia (low levels of oxygen in the blood). Hypoxia can cause headache, brain damage, and finally death through suffocation. A few breaths of pure nitrous oxide are unlikely to be a problem, but if nitrous oxide is administered through a mask or equivalent, 20% oxygen (by volume) has to be added (2l oxygen for each 8l nitrous oxide). Note that it is not possible to the user to determine wether he/she has enough oxygen, because nitrous oxide does not cause shortness of breath. Hypoxia can also happen if pure nitrous oxide is administered through a garbage bag (can fall over the face) or in a closed room (closet, car or other sealed space).

Different sources of nitrous oxide may contain harmful contaminants. Automotive grade nitrous oxide (NOS, NX) is contamined with sulphur dioxide and should not be inhaled. Food grade nitrous oxide from whippets may contain oily residues, which are probably harmful if inhaled. Medical grade nitrous oxide is the highest purity of nitrous oxide available, as it is specifically produced for human consumption.
Nitric acid (NO) should not be confused with nitrous oxide. Nitric oxide is an industrial gas and decomposes lung tissue if inhaled. This can cause irreversible lung damage and death. Containers containing carbon dioxide may be mistaken for whippets containing nitrous oxide, but this is usually quickly noticed by the user, because high concentrations of carbon dioxide rapidly produce shortness of breath, which doesn’t appear with nitrous oxide.

Producing nitrous oxide

Industrially, nitrous oxide is usually synthesized by heating ammonium nitrate (pyrolysis). As ammonium nitrate is very explosive, overheating it can detonate it, which has resulted in several huge explosions (some even in controlled industrial manufacture). Also, the nitrous oxide obtained by this method is not pure; dangerous contaminants like ammonia, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide are also formed. Unless one has professional chemistry equipment, knowledge and legal permission, synthesizing nitrous oxide from ammonium nitrate should not be carried out.
Automotive grade nitrous oxide can be purified, but this subject is quite controversial and has not been documented well enough yet.

Forms of nitrous oxide

Medical grade nitrous oxide
Medical grade (USP) nitrous oxide is the purest form of nitrous oxide available, but hard to obtain (medical suppliers, etc.) and usually controlled. It is intended for inhalation and is usually minimum 99.9% pure. Medical grade nitrous oxide usually appears as big containers, which contain large amounts of pressurized nitrous oxide.

Food grade nitrous oxide
Food grade nitrous oxide is used in whipped cream cans and whipped cream chargers. It is usually pure enough for human consumption, although many brands of whipped cream chargers have been reported to leave a residue similar to motor oil, which can be potentially harmful to the user. Most recreationally used nitrous oxide is food grade, because it is the easiest to obtain.

Automotive grade nitrous oxide
Automotive grade nitrous oxide is used in car racing. To discourage recreational use of this type of nitrous oxide, it is mixed with sulphur dioxide, which is very unpleasant to inhale and can be harmful to the lungs. Automotive grade nitrous oxide should not be inhaled. There is one documented case when automotive grade nitrous oxide has been sold for human consumption. (I swear I read it somewhere, but I can’t remember where. All I know is that it was at a concert, anywhere between the 60’s and 80’s. I will find it.)

50% nitrous and 50% oxygen is called Entonox. I will add some more info on this.

The law on nitrous oxide

Under construction.

History of nitrous oxide

Nitrous oxide was discovered by the British scientist Joseph Priestley, in 1772. The first one who did more studies on nitrous oxide was Humphrey Davy, who administered nitrous oxide to visitors of the Pneumatic Institute in Bristol, to study its physical effects (1799). He discovered that nitrous oxide causes laughing and called it ‘laughing gas’. In 1800, Humphrey Davy published his work about nitrous oxide, including his own experiences with nitrous oxide. He described nitrous oxide causing analgesia, but this information made it into the medical world only over 40 years later.

After Humphrey Davy discovered its potential for recreational use, he manufactured large quantities of nitrous oxide and introduced it to the public as a recreational drug, being more powerful yet cheaper than alcohol. Nitrous oxide was often sold at parties, carnivals and other social events.

In 1844, the dentist Horace Wells first demonstrated the anaesthetic effects of nitrous oxide, and in 1863, nitrous oxide was introduced in dentistry by Colton, becoming generally accepted in medicine by the year 1880, along with other anaestethics like diethyl ether and trichloromethane (chloroform). The latter two soon replaced nitrous oxide because they were more potent, but their high toxicity caused them to be replaced again by nitrous oxide.

Reputation Comments on this post:

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