The reinforcing effects of brief exposures to nitrous oxide in healthy volunteers.
J P Zacny, J M Klafta, D W Coalson, S Marks, C J Young, P A Klock, A Y Toledano, N Jordan, J L Apfelbaum
Drug and Alcohol Dependence November 1, 1996 DOI: 10.1016/s0376-8716(96)01281-1 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractBrief exposures (about 1.5 minutes) to nitrous oxide at concentrations of 20-80% in oxygen did not function as reinforcers in 11 healthy volunteers with modest lifetime psychoactive drug use. In a choice procedure, subjects sampled each concentration and placebo oxygen, then chose between them. 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% nitrous oxide were chosen by five, four, three, and three subjects respectively, none exceeding chance levels. All concentrations produced psychoactive effects, with concentration-related subjective effects. The authors conclude that nitrous oxide inhaled in a manner similar to recreational use does not act as a reinforcer across a wide range of concentrations in this population.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Within-subjects choice procedure Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 11 |
| Population | Healthy volunteers with modest lifetime history of psychoactive drug use |
| Intervention | Nitrous oxide |
| Dose | 20-80% inspired concentration in oxygen |
| Key finding | Nitrous oxide at 20-80% concentrations did not function as a reinforcer, as choice levels did not exceed chance. |
Abstract
The reinforcing and subjective effects of brief (about 1.5 min) exposures to nitrous oxide, ranging from inspired concentrations of 20-80% in oxygen, were examined in 11 healthy volunteers. A choice procedure was used in which during each of four sessions, subjects first sampled a given concentration of nitrous oxide and placebo oxygen, and then chose between the two. 20, 40, 60 and 80% nitrous oxide were chosen by five, four, three, and three subjects, respectively--these choice levels did not exceed that of chance. All concentrations had psychoactive effects, and in general, concentration-related subjective effects were found. We conclude that in a medical setting, nitrous oxide inhaled in a manner similar to that when used recreationally in a naturalistic setting, does not function as a reinforcer across a wide range of concentrations, in subjects with a modest lifetime history of psychoactive drug use.