Nitrous Oxide Abuse: Clinical Outcomes, Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics, Toxicity and Impact on Metabolism.
Emeline Gernez, Graham Robert Lee, Jean-Paul Niguet, Farid Zerimech, Anas Bennis, Guillaume Grzych
Toxics November 28, 2023 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11120962 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Addiction |
| Keywords | Cobalamin Homocysteine Methylmalonic acid Neurology Neuropathy Nitrous oxide Toxicity Vitamin b12 |
| Key findings | Chronic nitrous oxide exposure most frequently causes neurological symptoms, and indirect biomarkers like vitamin B12, homocysteine, and methylmalonic acid are recommended for diagnosis. |
Abstract
The recreational use of nitrous oxide (N2O), also called laughing gas, has increased significantly in recent years. In 2022, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) recognized it as one of the most prevalent psychoactive substances used in Europe. Chronic nitrous oxide (N2O) exposure can lead to various clinical manifestations. The most frequent symptoms are neurological (sensitive or motor disorders), but there are also other manifestations like psychiatric manifestations or cardiovascular disorders (thrombosis events). N2O also affects various neurotransmitter systems, leading to its anesthetic, analgesic, anxiolytic and antidepressant properties. N2O is very challenging to measure in biological matrices. Thus, in cases of N2O intoxication, indirect biomarkers such as vitamin B12, plasma homocysteine and plasma MMA should be explored for diagnosis and assessment. Others markers, like oxidative stress markers, could be promising but need to be further investigated.
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| Psychedelics as anti-inflammatory agents Animal models and cellular studies | 2018 | Review | |
| A narrative review of yoga and mindfulness as complementary therapies for addiction. | 2013 | Review | |
| The neuropsychopharmacology of cannabis: A review of human imaging studies | 2018 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 10
- [Nitrous oxide as a party drug]. Die Anaesthesiologie July 1, 2024
- Relationships among nitrous oxide exposure, neurological injury and biomarkers. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology July 20, 2026
- Protracted encephalopathy and subacute combined degeneration associated with chronic nitrous oxide use: a case report Frontiers in Psychiatry May 15, 2026
- Nitrous oxide controls the DCN to VTA dopamine circuit by enhancing AMPA receptor functions during rewarding behavior. Molecular Psychiatry May 13, 2026
- Nitrous oxide–related neurotoxicity: Clinical features, key investigations, and a proposed diagnostic approach from a single-center cohort eNeurologicalSci May 1, 2026
and 5 more in the library
Cites 12
- Does nitrous oxide addiction exist? An evaluation of the evidence for the presence and prevalence of substance use disorder symptoms in recreational nitrous oxide users Addiction April 1, 2024
- Electrophysiologic Characteristics of Nitrous-Oxide-Associated Peripheral Neuropathy: A Retrospective Study of 76 Patients Journal of Clinical Neurology 2023
- Nitrous oxide-related neurological disorders: Clinical, laboratory, neuroimaging, and electrophysiological findings. Brain and Behavior December 1, 2021
- Ketamine and nitrous oxide: The evolution of NMDA receptor antagonists as antidepressant agents. Journal of the Neurological Sciences May 15, 2020
- Nitrous oxide causes peripheral neuropathy in a dose dependent manner among recreational users Journal of Psychopharmacology February 1, 2020
and 7 more in the library