How nitrous oxide became a deadly - but legal - American addiction

Nitrous oxide overdoses have increased in the US, but the substance is still legal as a "culinary product".

Nitrous oxide – known colloquially as "laughing gas" – has many uses, from a painkiller during dental procedures to a whipping agent for canned whipped cream.

While its euphoric side effects have long been known, the rise of vaping has helped create a perfect delivery vehicle for the gas - and a perfect recipe for an addiction, experts warn.

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albert180 4 points a year ago

Is Nitrous oxide still used for medical purposes?

I thought it was phased out in most civilised places

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Ushmel 7 points a year ago

still used everywhere because it is extremely safe and works very well

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albert180 0 points a year ago

Uhm, no. It's not used anymore at all in Hospitals here in Germany for Anesthesia. At least the bigger ones. In Switzerland I've also never seen it

It also doesn't work that good, there are better and safer alternatives. Most use TIVA anyway, so no gases necessary. And if it's absolutely necessary they use Sevoflurane.
Also Regional Anesthetics and Epidural/Spinal Blocks

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Ushmel 1 point a year ago

Not every outpatient clinic and office has access to an anesthesiologist, with nitrous you don't need one because it's safe compared to sevofluorane, etc.

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