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Nitrous oxide

Nitrous oxide is a colourless, odourless gas (at room temperature). It is used in medical and dental settings for anaesthesia, a propellant for whipped cream and is also used in the automotive industry to enhance engine performance.

As an inhalant, nitrous oxide is used for its dissociative (detachment from reality) and mood-altering effects and is commonly used in a recreational context.

It is also referred to as Nangs, Nitrous, Whippets, Balloons, Bulbs, Laughing gas, NOS, Nitro.

Effects

After nitrous oxide is inhaled, it is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream through the lungs, then travels to the brain and the rest of the body. The effects typically last a few minutes.

Short-term effects include euphoria, dizziness/light-headedness, laughter, mild numbness and tingling sensation, reduced inhibitions, sedation, confusion, muscular weakness, impaired judgement, headache, blurred vision, sweating, drop in blood pressure, nausea and fainting.

Effects associated with high volume and/or high frequency use include memory loss, numbness in the hands or feet when not using, incontinence, anaemia, limb spasms, weakened immune system, disruption to reproductive systems, psychological disturbances, potential birth defects (if consumed during pregnancy), poor balance and coordination, and brain and spinal cord damage.

Availability

Nitrous oxide comes in 8g nitrous oxide gas bulbs, used for whipped cream dispensers, and various cylinders and tanks, including those used for medical purposes. However, as of 1 November 2024, these are no longer available to the general public in Western Australia and can only be accessed by:

  • registered food businesses;
  • businesses with a liquor licence that prepares drinks on-site;
  • educational and training institutions; and
  • cooking school businesses.

The new regulations will not impact medical use of nitrous oxide, which is already regulated under WA law.

For more information, see the Western Australian law page of this website.

Method of use

Nitrous oxide can be inhaled from the small gas bulbs via a nang cracker dispensed into a balloon or via a whipped cream dispenser, or directly from a larger cylinder or tank, via a nozzle, regulator, or breathing mask.

Prevalence

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, use of inhalants in the previous 12 months has been gradually increasing from 0.4% in 2001 to 1.0% in 2016 and 1.7% in 2019. One third of those who reported using inhalants, use at least monthly.

Reducing harms

The safest way to avoid harm associated with nitrous oxide is not to use nitrous oxide.

Some users of nitrous oxide consider it to be safe because it is used in medical settings. However, it is in a safe setting under medical supervision and often administered with 50% oxygen. There are still a number of harms associated with the use of nitrous oxide.

Canisters of nitrous oxide contain 100% nitrous oxide gas, which means during inhalation you don’t breathe in any oxygen. This can starve the brain of oxygen and be fatal.

Inhaling nitrous oxide in an enclosed space or environment with limited oxygen (e.g., in a car with the windows up), increases the risk of hypoxia or suffocation. Continuous inhalation without breaks will limit the amount of oxygen coming into the body and also increase the risk of hypoxia.

Therefore it is important to avoid:

  • using in enclosed spaces
  • putting plastic bags over your head or restricting your breathing.
  • continuously inhaling.

When nitrous oxide releases from its cannister (bulb, cylinder or tank), the cannister can become freezing cold and can burn the skin. As nitrous oxide intoxication may cause numbness in the body, the cold burn may not be felt immediately, which may result in a more severe burn.

Ensure you avoid direct contact with skin.

As nitrous oxide is released at high pressure and is freezing cold, if inhaled directly from its cannister, it can cause a rupture in lung tissue or cause frostbite to the mouth, nose, lips and throat (including vocal cords). A canister may also release grease and metal fragments, so direct inhalation from a canister (bulb, cylinder or tank) into the mouth should be avoided.

While nitrous oxide is not flammable, but it can increase the intensity of a fire. Avoid releasing nitrous oxide near flammable substances and naked flames (including cigarettes), and do not incinerate canisters e.g. throw into a fire.

Nitrous oxide intoxication may cause impaired judgement, coordination and concentration, disorientation, muscle weakness and drowsiness, increasing the risk of injuries. Therefore, using nitrous oxide in high-risk environments such as near water, near traffic or at heights, should be avoided. Do not drive or operate machinery if intoxicated.

Nitrous oxide intoxication can cause disorientation and a lack of awareness of surroundings, and even unconsciousness, making you more vulnerable to your environment. It is important to encourage people to not use alone, and to tell someone that they are going to use and where they will be in case you have a negative experience or need medical assistance.

Ensure someone who is not using knows what signs to look for regarding overdose e.g., blue lips, pale skin, no response, shallow breathing or no breathing, seizures, chest pain.

Ensure this person knows how to respond with DRSABCD – Danger, Response, Send for help, Airways, Breathing, CPR, Defibrillator.

Nitrous oxide causes the inactivation of vitamin B12 which is where the body is unable to use vitamin B12. This can lead to increased amino acid (homocysteine) levels in the body which can cause clots and hardening of the arteries and may lead to a heart attack. It is important to note that this is not prevented by oral vitamin B12 supplementation. To avoid this, limit the amount of nitrous oxide used in any one session and the frequency of use.

For information about how to reduce harms, see the Reducing VSU harm page of this website.

In response to the harms caused through increased availability and use of nitrous oxide, the Western Australian Government has introduced further regulatory supply controls from November 2024. For more information,

For more information, see the Western Australian law page of this website or visit the Nitrous oxide webpage on the Department of Health website.