A priori all users have understood that the gas contained in these balloons makes people laugh. These balloons that circulate in student parties are inflated with nitrous oxide. This gas is used in the kitchen in whipped cream siphons, in the hospital as an anesthetic, in aerosols of dry air or in industrial carboys. But the health effects are not without danger.

Many student associations, evening organizers and of course health organizations are sounding the alarm on this festive use, which can have dramatic consequences.

Legal in France and over-the-counter, several municipalities have supervised its consumption and sale in the face of serious health problems for users.

Used most of the time in student parties for euphoric and recreational purposes, it is transferred to balloons to be sucked into the mouth.

What is the desired effect?

A euphoria comparable to drunkenness, uncontrollable laughter, visual and auditory distortions, changes in the voice… Indeed, like helium, nitrous oxide transforms the voice. While helium helps produce high-pitched sounds, nitrous oxide, which is a heavier gas, works the other way around and produces a deeper voice.

Faced with this phenomenon, the evening organizers have taken the lead and are communicating on this subject. This apparently festive and odorless gas is starting to cause problems, because it has dangerous side effects.

Nitrous oxide can indeed cause undesirable effects, which generally disappear 15 minutes after stopping inhalation but which can persist for a few hours or even a few days, depending on the dose consumed:

• nausea and vomiting;
• headache ;
• abdominal cramps;
• diarrhea;
• drowsiness and slight decrease in alertness within 30 minutes of taking;
• dizziness;
• tinnitus (perceptions of buzzing in the absence of outside noise).

In high doses, its consumption can also cause:

• confusion, disorientation;
• difficulty speaking and coordinating movements;
• muscular weakness ;
• slowing or irregular heartbeat.

Whatever the frequency of use, each inhalation of this gas involves risks:

Risk of cold burns

The gas released is extremely cold. Inhalation, which can be done directly from the cartridge, exposes to serious risks of frostbite of the nose, lips and vocal cords.

Lack of oxygen which can lead to death

The cartridges are highly concentrated in nitrous oxide, and repeated inhalations can lead to death from asphyxiation.

Risk of unconsciousness

Loss of consciousness can, for example, lead to a serious fall, with the risk of fracture (s), trauma, etc.

Loss of coughing and swallowing reflexes

This risk is potentially fatal if there is a “wrong route” of vomiting to the lungs, especially in the event of loss of consciousness.

Nitrous oxide is not considered a drug, but it can become addictive when the young person takes it regularly. The low cost of the product and the rapid disappearance of the desired effects can encourage young people to repeat the catches frequently and lead to excessive consumption.

This use leads to:

• memory loss;
• erectile dysfunction;
• paranoid-type mood disorders;
• visual hallucinations;
• heart rhythm disorders;
• a drop in blood pressure;
• vitamin B12 deficiency.

The risks of vitamin B12 deficiency

This Vitamin B12 Deficiency Can Cause Spinal Cord Disorders at the origin of neurological disorders:

• tingling or numbness of the fingers and toes;
• difficulty walking due to weak legs and disturbed balance;
• sensations of electric shocks in the back of the neck.

Vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause anemia which manifests itself by:

• chronic fatigue;
• loss of strength;
• weak immune system.

The good news is that these problems, which can appear after several months of use, are usually reversible when you stop taking it with vitamin B12 treatment.

When stopping consumption, these regular users may experience anxiety, restlessness, abdominal pain and tremors.

Usually consumed in the hustle and bustle of the party and mixed with alcohol, inhaling too much of the gas can cause worrying symptoms:

• motor disorders;
• alterations in perception;
• more rarely convulsions.

EIn the event of respiratory distress, emergency services must be called immediately as this can result in death.

In case of over consumption, DrugsInfoService informs, advises on its site and answers questions from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. on 0 800 23 13 13 (free call from a landline).