Nitrous Oxide Risks for Young People

What Is Nitrous Oxide and Why Are Young People Using It?

Nitrous oxide, often called laughing gas, NOS, or whippits, is a colourless gas with a slightly sweet smell. It has legitimate medical uses, most notably as an anaesthetic and pain relief agent in dentistry and maternity care. However, over the past decade it has become one of the most commonly used recreational substances among young people in the UK.

Data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales has consistently placed nitrous oxide among the top three most used recreational drugs by 16 to 24 year olds, sitting alongside cannabis and MDMA. Its popularity has been driven by its low cost, easy availability, and a widespread perception that it is a soft or harmless substance. That perception is dangerously misleading.

Understanding why young people are drawn to it is important for having honest, non-judgmental conversations. The high is brief, typically lasting between 20 seconds and two minutes, producing feelings of euphoria, light-headedness, and fits of laughter.

The Laughing Gas Dangers Nobody Talks About

One of the biggest problems with nitrous oxide is the gap between how it is perceived and what it actually does to the body.

Oxygen Deprivation and Immediate Physical Risks

When someone inhales nitrous oxide, they are displacing oxygen in their lungs and bloodstream. People have lost consciousness suddenly and suffered head injuries from falls, or died from asphyxiation when using it in enclosed spaces or with masks.

The gas is extremely cold as it leaves the canister. Inhaling directly from a canister can cause severe frostbite to the lips, mouth, throat, and lungs.

The Risk of Vitamin B12 Depletion

Nitrous oxide inactivates vitamin B12 by oxidising it into a form that cannot be used. B12 is essential for producing myelin, the protective sheath around nerve fibres. Even a small number of uses can trigger subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord in people with low B12 levels. Symptoms include tingling, numbness, weakness, difficulty walking, and problems with coordination. In severe cases, the neurological damage can be permanent.

Hospital admissions related to nitrous oxide-induced nerve damage rose sharply in the UK between 2018 and 2023.

Cardiovascular Risks

Repeated use places cumulative stress on the cardiovascular system. Mixing nitrous oxide with alcohol or other drugs significantly increases the risk of serious adverse reactions.

The 2023 UK Law Change: Possession Is Now Illegal

In November 2023, the UK government added nitrous oxide to the list of Class C controlled substances under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Possession for recreational use is a criminal offence. A conviction can result in up to two years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both. Supply carries a maximum of 14 years.

This was a significant step beyond the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016, which had made supply illegal but not possession.

Why Young People Are Most Vulnerable

The adolescent brain is still developing well into the mid-twenties. The prefrontal cortex, governing risk assessment and impulse control, is among the last regions to mature.

Specific Risks for Young Women

Women may be more susceptible to B12 depletion. Nitrous oxide during pregnancy is associated with increased risks of birth defects.

Hidden Deficiencies

Vegans, vegetarians, and people with gut conditions may have lower baseline B12 levels, making them more vulnerable to accelerated nerve damage.

Harm Reduction

Never inhale directly from a canister; use a balloon. Never use in enclosed spaces, alone, or while standing near hazards. Never use a mask or bag over the face. Get B12 levels checked if you have used regularly. Never mix with other substances.

Advice for Parents

Start with curiosity, not accusation. Watch for silver canisters, persistent cough, numbness or tingling in extremities, clumsiness, or difficulty walking.

Where to Get Help

FRANK: 0300 123 6600 or talktofrank.com. YoungMinds: youngminds.org.uk. Childline: 0800 1111.