The recreational use of nitrous oxide, better known as “laughing gas”, represents “a growing concern for Europe”, according to a report published on Monday by the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA).

“The increase in the recreational use of nitrous oxide in certain regions of Europe is worrying”, commented the director of the Observatory based in Lisbon, Alexis Goosdeel, quoted in a press release.

“Consumers generally feel that inhaling nitrous oxide is safe.

Yet we find that more frequent or heavier consumption of the gas increases the risk of serious harm, such as nervous system damage,” he said.

Legally used as a food additive or as an anesthetic in medicine, the recreational use of nitrous oxide is experiencing "increasing popularity" due to its availability and low price.


No laughing matter: our new report shows rise in recreational use of #nitrousOxide.

The publication points to the risks and harms associated with the drug, which is now widely available, cheap & popular among some young people.

https://t.co/n1fcRae9gv #HealthierEurope pic.twitter.com/JcYqwtKyb6

— EU drugs agency (@EMCDDA) November 21, 2022

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The number of poisonings on the rise

"A profitable and expanding supply chain has developed, with specialty shops on the internet either directly promoting the gas for recreational use or offering it under the guise of its use to make whipped cream," notes The report.

The number of poisonings recorded by poison control centers is slightly up.



In France, for example, 134 cases were reported in 2020, compared to 10 in 2017. “It is therefore important to avoid normalizing and inadvertently promoting its consumption.

Targeted actions and additional research are needed to improve understanding of the risks and reduce the damage,” said EMCDDA boss Alexis Goosdeel.

Health

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