The rise of nitrous oxide misuse in the U.S.

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Once seen as a harmless party novelty, nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, has emerged as a dangerous but legal substance of abuse in the United States. Widely available in small canisters, its misuse can cause euphoria but also lead to serious health consequences, including nerve damage, cognitive impairment, and even death. The growing prevalence of nitrous oxide addiction highlights a troubling gap in drug regulation and public awareness.

Source

Yockey, Andrew. (2025). Addressing the Unregulated Use of Nitrous Oxide Canisters. Journal of Medicine Surgery and Public Health. 6. 10.1016/j.glmedi.2025.100190.

Additional Reading

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly36n88n56o

https://olemiss.edu/news/2025/04/nitrous-oxide-abuse-study/index.html

https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/374109/nitrous-oxide-laughing-galaxy-gas-whippets-history