Fatal Nitrous Oxide Abuse

Prahlow, Joseph A.; Lantz, Patrick E.

doi:10.1080/00085030.1994.10757023

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 10 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Fatal cases resulting from nitrous oxide intoxication are of accidental origin and of abuse. 5,10,11 Wide availability of products containing nitrous oxide and the growing use of this gas as a recreational drug will result in more cases of toxicity seen in daily practice. In the absence of reliable data on the cause of unconsciousness and death, the right diagnosis of intoxication by nitrous oxide can hardly be made.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Death caused by addictive inhalation of nitrous oxide

et al. 2011

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Intoxications with nitrous oxide have been, and still are, a rarity in forensic medicine. Apart from accidental overdose during hospital procedures, intoxication with this gas is the result of voluntary inhalation. We report the fatal case of a 32-year-old male who died during inhalation of nitrous oxide from whipped dairy cream cans and hint on the role of the internet in creating new behaviors among drug addicts. We rely on the autopsy report from the Department of Forensic Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, on laboratory tests, and court files. Neither the autopsy nor the toxicologic and histopathologic tests disclosed the exact cause of death. However, circumstances in which the body was discovered were indicative that death resulted from cardiorespiratory failure. The present case is interesting with regard to its rarity, diagnostic difficulties and potential harm from nitrous oxide used by the food industry.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Death caused by addictive inhalation of nitrous oxide

et al. 2011

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In addition to nitrous oxide-mediated consequences of hypoxia and vitamin B12 deficiency, hippy crack leads to an increase in homocysteine, a N -methyl- d -aspartame agonist associated with oxidative stress and mitochondrial disruption via intracellular calcium release ( 2 , 8 ). Abuse of hippy crack has been reported to cause fatalities ( 5 , 9 – 12 ), and—in association with low or low-normal levels of vitamin B12—to psychiatric effects such as psychosis, peripheral neuropathy and other medical effects relating to blood flow ( 13 – 18 ). Extreme case reports have involved subacute combined spinal cord degeneration and ataxia following nitrous oxide abuse ( 19 – 21 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

No Laughing Matter: Presence, Consumption Trends, Drug Awareness, and Perceptions of “Hippy Crack” (Nitrous Oxide) among Young Adults in England

2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In clinical settings, nitrous oxide gas is a safe anesthetic used during childbirth, in dentistry, and to relieve anxiety in emergencies. Colloquially known as “hippy crack”’ or “laughing gas,” it is increasingly taken recreationally for its euphoric and relaxing effects and hallucinogenic properties. Using a self-reported survey, we gathered quantitative and qualitative information on users and non-users of hippy crack among a young population regarding: consumption patterns, knowledge, risk awareness and intentions toward future abuse. Quantitative responses from a total of 140 participants were analyzed for frequencies and relationships, whereas qualitative data were evaluated via identifying the reoccurring themes. Overall, 77.1% (n = 108) had heard of hippy crack and 27.9% (n = 39) admitted to past-year use. Prior users mostly indicated intended future use, had an average low number of past-year uses but some with > 20 occasions, had a varied number of inhalations per occasion (often 1–10) with an effect lasting up to 5 min, and a majority preferred social rather than lone use. For non-users, 79.2% said they would take hippy crack with the vast majority (94%) preferring a social setting. The results show a concerning gap between available evidence and awareness of side effects. Despite serious reported side effects, including psychosis and myeloneuropathy—especially on the young developing brain—only a minority (29.3%) was aware of any side effects. In contrast, in a hypothetical scenario depicting a first social encounter with hippy crack, the qualitative responses were in contrast to qualitative outcomes revealing that participants would try (n = 30)/not try (n = 25) it, would feel under pressure to try it (n = 6) with only 11 opting to exit the situation. In summary, this first report of trends and perceptions of the use of hippy crack among young adults in the England highlights a lack of concern with side effects, coupled to a willingness to partake. Because typical users are young with risks to the still developing brain, education about the nitrous oxide abuse is warranted to prevent impaired brain development. Further studies to investigate the possible effects of nitrous oxide on the developing brain in young adults would advance meaningful prevention.

show abstract