Prevention and Recovery: Nitrous Oxide and Huffing

The Illegal Drug at Every Corner Store.  A dangerous and technically illegal drug, nitrous oxide is widely available as long as everyone pretends it’s destined for use as a food product.  Large distributors brand and flavor nitrous in ways that attract young inhalers, stock it with retailers catering to other vices, and sell it in quantities that are implausible for culinary use but ideal for huffing. The gas can be ordered from Walmart, Amazon, and eBay.  Nitrous oxide has been recreationally inhaled since the 1800s.  It induces a euphoric head rush and tingling in the user’s fingers and toes, often followed by giddy laughter.  Almost as soon as it starts, it’s over. The effects of a single hit typically last for less than a minute.  The modern version of the drug, known as a “whippet”, has recently climbed the youth-popularity ranks.  In 2022, about 14 million Americans over age 12 reported having ever used it.  Social media is full of clips of young people ripping hits before falling on their faces (so much so that TikTok eventually banned nitrous-related search terms).  Depriving your brain of oxygen in favor of laughing gas is not wise.  Heavy nitrous users can suffer severe health consequences, including, occasionally, death.  Users have reported depression, anxiety, mood swings, and even hallucinations.  Many fatal car accidents have occurred in which nitrous-oxide products were discovered at the crash sites.  Without meaningful regulation, getting high on nitrous will remain as convenient as picking up a bag of chips.

Here's the link: The Illegal Drug at Every Corner Store - The Atlantic