‘Laughing gas’ abusers run risk of mental problems, leading psychiatrist warns

Nitrous oxide canisters and a balloon lie discarded on a street. Photo: Getty

Lynne Kelleher

A leading psychiatrist has warned of the dangers of nitrous oxide — sold on the black market as “laughing gas” — after a young man was hospitalised in Ireland with delusions and hallucinations. He had inhaled 75 to 100 canisters daily for more than six months.

Experts say avoidable harm from the gas — usually released into balloons from small silver canisters before being inhaled — has been observed worldwide.