Quick info

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is produced synthetically and used in medicine as a narcotic. Nitrous oxide belongs to the group of dissociatives. It is a colorless gas with a slightly sweet smell and has been used in medicine for more than 150 years to relieve pain and as an anesthetic, particularly in dentistry and obstetrics. The substance got its name from its relaxing and sometimes laughter-inhibiting effect.
The "body high" begins a few seconds after ingestion and lasts only about 30 seconds to 5 minutes. It manifests itself as a tingling sensation that starts in the head and face at lower doses, but spreads to the whole body at higher doses. The surrounding sounds are often perceived as muffled or distorted.
In moderate doses, laughing gas leads to euphoria and a state of relaxation. The sense of time changes and ordinary thoughts can suddenly seem particularly fascinating. Some people report dream-like, brief visions. At higher doses, a stronger dissociation can occur - a feeling of separation from one's own body or surroundings. This brief "time out" from reality is experienced as very intense by many users. The short duration of effect often leads to multiple inhalations in succession, which can significantly increase the risks.
Onset of action:
a fewseconds after ingestion.
Duration of effect:
approx. 30 seconds to 5 minutes
Nitrous oxide is usually inhaled from balloons or gas cartridges (cream blowers).
Inhaled
light: 4-8 g (½ to whole capsule)
medium: 8 - 16 g (1-2 capsules)
strong: 16 - 40 g (2-5 capsules)
Appearance
colorless gas
Mild nausea, headache, flatulence, peripheral neuropathy (burning, tingling (in extremities), numbness, muscle cramps, twitching, etc.); in case of excessive consumption, unconsciousness, hallucinations (in very high doses), drop in blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia, in the worst case death by respiratory paralysis. Risk of asphyxiation in case of insufficient oxygen supply, increased risk of injury due to falls when "stepping away", brain and organ damage (if N2O in the breath exceeds 90%), strong craving.
Long-term risks
Regular consumption of laughing gas damages the nervous system and leads to vitamin B12 deficiency. Nitrous oxide renders vitamin B12 ineffective in the body, disrupting important bodily functions. Vitamin B12 is important for the protective layer of the nerves. Frequent consumption can lead to nerve problems such as tingling and numbness in the hands and feet, balance problems, muscle weakness and, in severe cases, damage to the spinal cord. These symptoms can occur after just a few months of regular consumption. In people who already have a vitamin B12 deficiency, problems can arise even after a single consumption. Addiction with psychological symptoms is possible, as are liver and kidney damage, a feeling of exhaustion (asthenia), musculoskeletal disorders and numbness in the extremities (paraesthesia).
LSD analogues are substances that are chemically very similar to LSD and can have comparable effects. Some of them have been known for a long time (e.g. ALD52, ETH-LAD, AL-LAD, PRO-LAD etc.) and have been studied pharmacologically as well as psychopharmacologically, at least in part. Others are newer "creations" (e.g. the derivatives 1P-LSD,1B-LSD, 1cP-LSD, 1V-LSDetc.), for which only few or no data are available. Certain LSD analogues can (still) be legally produced, traded and consumed in some countries, which is the main reason for their distribution.
Most LSD analogues are naturally different from LSD in their effect and/or potency (e.g. ETH-LAD, AL-LAD, LSZ etc.). In contrast, the so-called 1-acylated LSD compounds (e.g. 1P-LSD, 1V-LSD, 1B-LSD, ALD-52, etc.) are presumed, on the basis of pharmacological studies, to convert into LSD in the body (they function as so-called prodrugs) and thus have a comparable psychoactive effect to LSD.
In the case of prodrugs of LSD and LSD analogues, it has not been conclusively clarified whether, in addition to their psychoactive effect, they can produce other pharmacological effects. How potent these prodrugs are compared to the resulting substance (e.g., 1P-LSD to LSD), and to what extent a delay in onset of action occurs in each case, may be substance-dependent and cannot be generalized. Therefore, it is important to approach the dose/effect carefully to avoid overdoses.
If you or someone else needs urgent help after taking drugs or alcohol, call an ambulance on 144. Tell the emergency responders everything you know.
It could save lives.