Safety & Misuse
Dangers of Misuse (Nitrous Oxide)
Misusing Nitrous Oxide is classified by a user intentionally using the substances for its psychoactive effects by inhaling the gas. The Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 is a law in the United Kingdom intended to restrict the production, sale and supply of a new class of psychoactive substances often referred to as "legal highs". TalkToFrank Website Quote: “As of 2016, nitrous oxide is covered by the Psychoactive Substances Act and is illegal to supply for its psychoactive effect."
Nitrous Oxide has been used in the culinary industry for decades and using Nitrous Oxide for catering and it’s other legitimate uses is legal. However in recent years, Nitrous Oxide has unfortunately become a popular substance that has been abused and misused for it’s effects on the central nervous system when inhaled. It has been featured in the media more in recent years which has been a leading cause of its rise in popularity. NW Catering LTD does not condone, promote, encourage or advise anyone in any way to misuse Nitrous Oxide and NW Catering LTD has extensive safeguarding measures in place to stop the products from being misused. NW Catering LTD reserves the right to refuse sale to anyone we deem unacceptable to sell N2O to or that we are suspicious of potentially misusing or of being under the age of 18 years old.
When professionals prepare and utilize Nitrous Oxide within a safe medical environment as a medical aesthetic, they handle it in a controlled manner with appropriate equipment. Attempting to administer on one’s self outside of the medical industry has the potential to lead to immediate fatality via asphyxiation (choking due to a lack of oxygen). There can be serious long-term physical and/or mental side effects, at the very least. The substance referred to as "Laughing Gas" is not pure N2O like what is found within cream chargers, but is actually, in fact, a combination of about 70% Oxygen and 30% Nitrous Oxide.
Potential Risks of Misusing Nitrous Oxide
Oxygen Deprivation: Potential Result of Using Nitrous Oxide
Anaesthetics are fast becoming a popular method of experiencing a ‘high’ that so many people in modern society search for nowadays. Although it nitrous oxide does not have the same strength of other anaesthetics its use in this manner has been increasing significantly. It’s possible that abusers assume the fact of its relative weakness compared to other analgesics and pharmaceuticals also signifies a lesser risk factor, but that is not the case. It is an entirely incorrect correlation. The risks are real. In spite of it being a weaker drug by some standards, it produces euphoric feelings and has the potential to dramatically affect behaviour in any individual abusing it.
Potential for Brain Damage
Brain damage is a serious side effect that can be suffered as a result of using nitrous oxide in this way because, if it is not mixed with at least twenty percent oxygen in a controlled manner when it is inhaled, the reduction of the oxygen content in the blood can trigger hypoxia—a serious medical condition. Aiming for a bigger high, some users end up inhaling huge amounts at the expense of the essential oxygen that we all rely on in order to breathe. Brain damage following as a result of this action is irreversible. It only requires one instance of hypoxia for permanent brain damage to ensue.
When used in a professional, controlled medical environment, Nitrous is administered with oxygen. That is the reason it is often referred to as ‘gas plus air’.
Asphyxiation causing Death
Quite a large number of fatalities solely due to the lack of enough oxygen have occurred as a result of nitrous abuse. Some use practices liking placing ones head inside a plastic bag filled with of nitrous oxide, securing it around the neck. Some users, wishing to ensure they are breathing in pure nitro, do not realize the extreme risk of chasing a bigger high. Without enough oxygen, the human body will not survive for a long length of time and it is also possible that, due to low-oxygen, they may pass out with the bag still placed over user's heads. Excessive use has the potential to induce hyperthermia. Hyperthermia is a serious condition and could potentially lead to further dangerous complications as well. There can be other dangers leading to fatality n the cases where any family history of health problems connected with the use of anaesthetics or any additional existing genetic medical condition.
Damage to the Nervous System
The medical profession has long considered Nitrous oxide to be a safe form of anaesthesia. However, recent research confirms that, when people engage in prolonged or excessive use, then it could have devastating effects on the body subjected over a period of time. The body’s bone marrow may show signs of deterioration, and it has been known to inflict severe damage to the nervous system. Another extreme danger when engaging in the practice of breathing it straight out of pressurised tanks is that the gas flow is extremely cold, which can result in the freezing or damaging the vocal cords or asphyxiating the user. Frostbite to the lungs and respiratory system may be cause by a sudden change to the state of the gas Apparently, partygoers commonly inhale using facemasks. As this practice does not enable the required amount of oxygen in recipe with the gas, it may have fatal consequences. Although, notoriously, young adults prove cavalier with their attitude regarding long-term health risks of inhaling Nitrous, it poses very real dangers and threat.
Laughing Gas Abuse: Long Term Dangers
The use of nitrous oxide on a continuous basis can initiate a vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 is an essential component for numerous biological systems within our bodies. When deficient in this vitamin, amino acid accumulates in the blood supply and can be a cause for many various vascular diseases. Also, when breathed in during pregnancy, nitrous oxide may cause deformities in the fetus. Whenever there is the potential of a user becoming pregnant, then it should be absolutely avoided for the sake of the unborn child.
Potential of Falling
Abuse of nitrous oxide has the potential to lead to injuries like a concussion or fractured bones. Many people have been recorded as having serious injuries liking falling from an open window or having mishaps when operating machinery in the wake of inhaling this substance.
Personality Disorders Due to Long Term Use
Some people become addicted to nitrous oxide and end up suffering personality and mood disorders as well as lasting damage to the bone marrow or nervous system. Even after the user ceases abuse for a long period, these issues may persist.