WASHINGTON (AP) — Health officials in the U.S. are monitoring an increase in injuries related to the improper use of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas. Some brands are being sold in small canisters with flavors like blueberry, strawberry, and watermelon. The Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to consumers on Friday, cautioning that inhaling the gas for its euphoric effects could lead to dangerously low blood pressure, resulting in loss of consciousness and injuries. The FDA identified various products, such as Cosmic Gas, Galaxy Gas, and MassGass, sold in colorful packaging at gas stations, vape shops, and online outlets.
Nitrous gas is typically used as a sedative in dental offices and hospitals, as well as in pressurized cans of whipped cream. However, teenagers and adults have been misusing these products to achieve a high. The gas can temporarily disrupt oxygen flow to the brain. Despite companies marketing these products as intended for culinary use only and providing warnings against inhalation on their websites, videos of individuals using them recreationally have been circulating on social media platforms for years.
The FDA noted an uptick in reports of adverse events associated with nitrous products and poison control centers have received emergency calls from individuals who required hospitalization after collapsing from misuse. There are no federal restrictions on the purchase of nitrous oxide, although some states have implemented minimum age requirements. While the FDA regulates the gas as a medical product when used by healthcare professionals, oversight of products marketed for culinary purposes remains unclear.
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This article was supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The Associated Press is responsible for all content.
