Laughing Gas: How To Use N₂O Responsibly

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Nangs – What You Need To Know

Most people are unaware of nitrous oxide, commonly known as nangs, NOS, laughing gas, whip-its, bulbs, or chargers—and even less about its effects. Nitrous oxide is a gas used in dentistry and baking, but it’s prohibited to use it to get high. Despite this, eating whipped cream has been linked to euphoric feelings.

Nangs are one of the most talked-about dance trends right now. But you may not have heard much about them. You’ve probably seen empty steel cartridges strewn across dance floors, night clubs or your tent if you’re at a party. The screeching sound of someone’s having nangs might be heard from afar as well—and they’ll blow up balloons to decorate too!

Despite being labeled a party drug these days, Nitrous oxide has been utilized since the 1960s in race car engines and in the 1930s to make whipped cream as well as an anesthetic and painkiller in surgeries and dentistry and surgery since the 1840s.

That said, nitrous oxide has a long and interesting history, being used by the British upper class for pleasure in the 18th century. Not only that but it was also seen as an ingredient to be inhaled during these “laughing gas parties!” And they’d huff bags full of it! Yes, you heard that right—for more than 40 years, nitrous oxide has been employed only in fun! It’s interesting to see how far we’ve come since then.

Although nitrous oxide is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines, which specifies the most effective and safe drugs required in a health system, recreational use isn’t necessarily safe. Therefore, you should be aware of several potential hazards to make sure you’re treating yourself while having fun.

Crackers, Nanganators, And Tanks

Nitrous oxide can be acquired in tiny ‘cream chargers’ or ‘bulbs’ and larger medical gas cylinders that resemble scuba tanks. Cream chargers are intended to be used with whipped cream dispensers known as ‘nanganators,’ which may also be utilized in smaller hand-held “crackers.”

Gas canisters are common in the operating room and dentist’s office. Doctors and dentists use nitrous oxide as pain medication or anesthetic for their patients. Canisters are also used recreationally, and they frequently come with a breathing mask fixed to them that you wear over your mouth/nose. They may also be utilized to fill balloons with nitrous oxide.

What’s The Deal With Balloons?

The most common reason people release nitrous oxide into balloons is that it is stored under pressure in cream chargers and canisters. When released, it will come out FAST and be very cold. If you breathe in this straight, it has the potential to damage your lungs severely, so always fill a balloon with the gas first.

The second reason is that nitrous oxide is poorly processed and metabolized by our bodies. See, only 0.01 percent of the nitrous oxide is metabolized each time you have a nang. This doesn’t imply you’re missing out on the other 99%. It just implies that your body doesn’t need to break down the gas to affect you. As a result, many people breathe nitrous oxide in and out of a balloon to get the most out of it. Nanganators features a metal cylinder that cracks the gas into pieces. This way, you can let it cool down and then slowly release it into your lungs without needing a balloon.

Breathe Easy

As previously mentioned, nitrous oxide is only minimally metabolized within our bodies. To counter that, people repeatedly breathe nitrous oxide in and out of a balloon to get the most out of it.

However, if you use a balloon to improve the nang’s effects, you must consider the gas that is essential for life on Earth – oxygen. If you breathe in and out of a balloon over and over, you will be depriving yourself of oxygen, resulting in hypoxia, which can happen fast.

When you’re deprived of oxygen, it’s critical to call an ambulance right away. Some of the most serious symptoms associated with oxygen deprivation are memory loss, bodily dysfunction, and organ damage. In addition, you may pass out if you’re standing up while you have it.

If you’re going to breathe nitrous in and out of a balloon, make sure you’re getting enough oxygen. Rather than just breathing in and out, try to get some oxygen in between breaths instead of continuously breathing in and out, in and out until you can’t anymore. It should appear more like this: Inhale the nitrous oxide, hold for a few seconds, and then blow it back into the balloon before taking several breaths of fresh air.

Filter First

We believe that most cream chargers have a dark greasy substance, which is probably grease leftover from production. If you run your finger around the interior of a nanganator, you’ll notice this grease if it’s there. This is another reason to use balloons, and keep in mind that some of the greasy stuff will end up inside the balloon itself.

Nangs may also generate small amounts of metal when they’re damaged. These can be subtle and only detected by touching the grease. Reports shows that these unwanted metal objects can be up 3mm three long. There is a possibility that by inhaling unfiltered nitrous oxide, these metal objects can reach the lungs. We recommend you always use filtered nitrous oxide, and if you’re going to inhale directly from a nanganator, breathe in through a piece of cloth like your shirt or handkerchief instead.

Jelly Legs

The most typical injury caused by nangs is falling over, which I’m sure you know. Nitrous oxide has the potential to cause an immediate and total loss of bodily control as well as whether or not you pass out. Nitrous oxide abuse has resulted in several injuries, including a few fatalities (when individuals have fallen and struck their heads on something hard). For this reason, you should only perform nangs while seated.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is a vitamin that is essential for the formation of red blood cells, tissue repair, and nerve upkeep. Because nitrous oxide destroys your body’s supplies of vitamin B12, it can induce a vitamin B12 deficiency. This is especially crucial if you’re a vegan since your diet will already be deficient in B12.

B12 deficiency can lead to extreme tiredness, pins and needles or numbness in the fingers and toes, and muscular weakness. So if you’re doing nangs, we recommend that you take a B12 supplement daily – either as tablets or injections.

Using Balloons For Administrating Laughing Gas

There are several ways to consume laughing gas; whipped cream cans or cooking sprays may be used, but a balloon, a canister, and a cream charger always produce the best results. However, when you breathe directly from a canister, the cold air within might cause your mouth and airways to freeze, resulting in severe damage.

A balloon, on the other hand, is a more safety-conscious option. When inhaling gas from a canister, the rate is harder to regulate, so you risk “overdosing” and fainting – something you don’t want to do. As a result, utilize a balloon for safe and consistent results.

Connect a nitrogen cartridge to your air pump, inflate a balloon with the gas, and slowly fill it. Make sure you seal the end of the balloon well to prevent any gas from escaping. Next, inhale some air, insert the balloon’s tip in your mouth, gradually release the contents into your mouth, and breathe it in. Hold it in your lungs for a few seconds before exhaling as you would if you were smoking from a joint, and repeat.

Laughing gas creates a funny sense of euphoria, but it can also make some people dizzy or nauseous. So, don’t overdo it.

The Health Risks Of Nitrous Oxide

Like most things in life, anything taken to the extreme can be harmful, and nitrous oxide is no exception. Since nitrous oxide is available to buy, everyone using it needs to know how much to use and when not to use it because an overdose of this gas will cut down oxygen supply in the body, which may cause serious health consequences and even death.

The following are a few of the additional health hazards linked with recreational use of nitrous oxide:

Inhaling nitrous oxide directly from a cartridge or canister is dangerous and must be avoided. Otherwise, it might freeze your mouth and airways, leading to severe frost burns on the lips, larynx, and vocal cords.
Excessive nitrous oxide intake can cause you to faint and become unconscious.
Taking nitrous oxide with other medications can cause unintended health problems.
You should avoid inhaling nitrous oxide when you have a cold because it can harm your mucous membranes, cause ear pain, and, in severe circumstances, total hearing loss.
Chronic laughing gas usage causes vitamin B12 deficiencies resulting in various neurological disorders.
Nitrous oxide, which is not food-grade or meant for human consumption, might expose you to additional health hazards.
Inhaling unfiltered or impure nitrous oxide from a cartridge or canister may cause tiny metal particles to enter your lungs.

Follow These Safety Reminders When Using Inhale Nitrous Oxide

Here are some basic guidelines to assist you in reducing the health hazards of recreational nitrous oxide usage:

Always use food-grade nitrous oxide such as that is found in cream chargers or crackers for best results.
Avoid inhaling contaminated or low-quality gas that may be blended with other gases.
Never inhale nitrous oxide if the valve stem has been left in an open position.
Leakage around the valve stem can cause skin blistering.
Nitrous oxide is flammable, so do not use near fire, flames, or sparks.
Always use the balloon technique, as outlined above. Never take nitrogen directly from a can or cartridge.
Do not inhale all the gas from the balloon. Instead, consume laughing gas in tiny doses.
To prevent robbing your body of too much oxygen, breathe in some air before breathing the gas.
Store your nitrous oxide in a cool, dark location.
Never expose your cartridges and canisters to excessive heat or a naked flame since they can and will explode, potentially causing serious bodily harm.
Always be seated when inhaling laughing gas.
Do not combine nitrous oxide with alcohol, recreational drugs, medicines, or other substances.
Never inhale nitrous oxide if you’re pregnant.
Inhale next to someone who has proper CPR training so they can assist you if needed.

FAQs

How to make laughing gas with whipped cream?

For many people, laughing gas is synonymous with nitrous oxide. Laughing gas is often used as a sedative and anesthetic in dental surgeries or pain relief during childbirth. However, it’s easy to make laughing gas with whipped cream. All you need is some nitrous oxide, which you can buy at any hardware store, and some whipped cream. Combine the two ingredients in a bowl, and mix them until the gas is fully dissolved. You can then use a syringe to inject the gas into your whipped cream or use a spoon to eat it like regular whipped cream.

How is nitric oxide inhaled from a balloon?

Nitric oxide is stored as a compressed liquid in large steel cylinders since it has no commercial use but for medical purposes. Nitric oxide is a gas that is inhaled from a balloon. The balloon is filled with nitric oxide by placing the mouth of the balloon over the spout of a nitric oxide tank. A regulator is attached to the spout to not fill the balloon with too much nitric oxide at one time because this could lead to oxygen deprivation or death from suffocation. People then inhale the gas from the balloon. Inhaling nitrous oxide directly from the container is dangerous and has led to many severe injuries and deaths.

Can Laughing Gas Kill You?

Anesthesiologists use laughing gas, formally known as nitrous oxide, to anesthetize patients before surgery. It is also used recreationally for its euphoric effects. When inhaled, the gas causes a feeling of lightheadedness and calmness. These feelings are due to changes in oxygen levels in the blood caused by nitrous oxide inhalation. One problem with using nitrous oxide recreationally is that it can lead to death if not monitored carefully. Nitrous oxide inhalation has been linked to sudden cardiac arrest and suffocation because users often pass out after they stop breathing normally while under the influence of this drug. As such, people who intend on using it should be aware of their surroundings, so they do not harm themselves.