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Laughing gas, also known as nitrous oxide, is often used as a dental anesthetic. When inhaled, it can make people feel euphoric and say silly or strange things. This has led to recreational use and the question of whether laughing gas actually causes people to say weird things. In this article, we will explore the effects of laughing gas and try to answer the question.
What Is Laughing Gas?
Laughing gas, or nitrous oxide, is a colorless gas with a slightly sweet odor and taste. Its chemical formula is N2O. In medical settings, nitrous oxide is commonly used as an anesthetic. When inhaled, the gas induces feelings of euphoria and relaxation. Laughing gas was first discovered in 1772 by English scientist Joseph Priestley. However, its anesthetic properties were not observed until 1844 when American dentist Horace Wells started using it during dental procedures. Today, about one-third of all dental anesthetics used in the United States contain nitrous oxide. Outside of dentistry, laughing gas has also been used in childbirth and minor surgical procedures.
How Does Laughing Gas Work?
When inhaled, nitrous oxide interacts with the body in a few different ways:
- It induces the release of endorphins, which are hormones that help relieve pain and create feelings of euphoria.
- It inhibits certain neurotransmitters, interfering with sensations and perceptions.
- In high concentrations, it provides anesthesia by blocking signals to the brain.
At low concentrations like those used in dentistry, it produces analgesia and euphoria. At higher concentrations, it begins acting as an anesthetic and inducing unconsciousness. The effects come on very quickly, usually within a minute, and only last while the gas is being inhaled.
Does Laughing Gas Make You Say Weird Things?
There are a few reasons why laughing gas may make some people say strange or silly things:
Disinhibition
The feelings of relaxation and euphoria can remove mental inhibitions, making people more talkative, excitable, and unrestrained. They may say things they would normally keep to themselves.
Muddled thinking
Even at lower concentrations, nitrous oxide can impair thinking, judgment, and coordination. This may cause people to have trouble communicating clearly.
Hallucinations
At high enough doses, laughing gas can cause auditory and visual hallucinations. People may hear or see things that aren’t there and talk about these hallucinations.
Regression
There is some evidence that nitrous oxide can cause people to regress to an earlier mental state. This may make them more inclined to giggle or talk like a child.
So while the gas itself doesn’t directly make people say strange things, the psychological and neurological effects can lead to odd behavior and statements in some individuals. These effects depend on the dose, the person’s tolerance, and their natural personality when not inhaling nitrous oxide.
Examples of Weird Things People Say
Here are some real-life examples of the strange things people have been reported saying under the influence of laughing gas:
- “I’m melting into the floor!”
- “I feel like I’m time traveling. Are we in the past or future right now?”
- “Your face looks so weird. Why is it doing that?”
- Lots of uncontrollable laughter at nothing in particular
- “I can’t feel my toes! Are they still there?”
- Screaming or crying for no apparent reason
- Talking in a child’s voice or with a funny accent
- Having conversations with an imaginary person in the room
Of course, responses vary quite a bit from person to person. Some may experience mild giddiness while others have an extremely distorted experience. Most dentists only administer low doses to avoid too much disorientation.
Risks of Recreational Use
While laughing gas is relatively safe in medical contexts, recreational use does carry some risks:
- Impaired judgment leading to safety issues: may not be able to follow safety precautions or react well to problems if they arise.
- Danger of oxygen deprivation if using unsupervised or incorrectly:
- Potential for addiction with frequent or heavy use.
- Possible vitamin B12 deficiency and nerve damage from chronic exposure.
brain damage and even death have occurred in some cases when nitrous oxide was inhaled through a mask without enough oxygen also being administered.
Any recreational use should be avoided outside of a supervised medical setting with proper equipment. The risks outweigh the high.
Conclusion
Laughing gas does not directly cause people to say strange or weird things, but the euphoric and disorienting effects of the gas can lead to odd behaviors and statements in some people under its influence. At low medical doses, the effects are usually mild, while higher recreational doses increase the chances of disconnected and bizarre speech and actions. Because the intoxication from nitrous oxide is short-acting, the unusual speech patterns revert back to normal as the gas leaves the system. With proper precautions and reasonable doses, laughing gas is considered a safe anesthetic, but recreational use outside of medical settings comes with health risks.