It was legal and the buzz wore off quickly.
Klara liked it and was able to easily place an order on social media to have cartridges and tubes delivered.
In her circle of acquaintances, nitrous oxide became common and the purchases were not hidden.
The tubes were handed over in public places and the nitrous oxide sellers met where it was convenient.
Prices were pushed - more money was spent
More and more accounts were created, you could pick and choose among the sellers, and prices were pushed down.
- First a tube cost SEK 1,000, then SEK 800, SEK 600 and finally it was down to SEK 300, says Klara, whose real name is something else.
Klara needed more and more nitrous oxide to feel affected.
Her finances deteriorated as large sums went to buy nitrous oxide.
Numbness and loss of sensation
After a year and a half of use, she began to experience strange symptoms, such as numbness and loss of sensation.
At the same time, people who suffered nerve damage from nitrous oxide began to speak out in the media.
Their problems were similar to Klara's and she understood that she needed to seek care.
A decision that meant she had time to quit before her body would have sustained permanent damage.
In the clip above, Klara tells how it all started - and about the crucial conversation from the healthcare system.
Klara received "electrical shocks" from the nitrous oxide - that's how the addiction damaged her body
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"Here you can see changes in the entire cervical spine" - In the clip, SVT follows Klara to the neurology clinic where she was treated for her nitrous oxide injuries.
Photo: Caroline Slotte/SVT
What do you think of nitrous oxide?
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Johannes Falk •
The market needs to be regulated with both an age limit on purchases, and that only a certain amount may be purchased by private individuals to discourage sales.
Correct information on safe use should also be given out, as well as what to think about if you happen to take too much or want to stop.
The same should apply to all other drugs.
Hello,
we have met a person who abused various drugs who agrees with your views.
We will publish a feature with that person later this week.
Stay tuned here.
Susanna Ahnlund
SVT reporter
4 min
Dad80 •
Does nitrous oxide work soothingly or upwards?
Is it used as self-medication for depression or partying?
Hello!
The picture we got from the people we talked to and when we read cases to the Poison Information Centre, it is used both to enhance the intoxication from heavier drugs, but also to taper off from some drugs.
Then there are those who use nitrous oxide at parties or at home alone.
It varies from case to case.
You can check out the reportage on "Klara" who abused nitrous oxide and who suffered injuries from its use.
Caroline Slotte
SVT reporter
4 min
Bobbi •
1. War on drugs imported from the US as well as our own backward politicians regulations have created an underground market that has benefited gangs because it is so lucrative.
2. Sweden is not innovative because it remained in the Middle Ages while Norway and Portugal are becoming incredibly rich (as well as Thailand which has now boomed due to the legalization of drugs)
3. We are getting closer and closer to a militant society like Brazil (policia militar) those gated cities and corrupt private security companies rule.
Sweden's politicians have been backward since 1950
Thanks for your opinions.
Our review is based on the behavior of nitrous oxide sellers on social media.
Drug policy is not part of it.
Susanna Ahnlund
SVT reporter
6 min
Criminalization is a failure! Take responsibility. •
The criminalization of drugs has had no positive effects on society.
It's like burying your head in the sand and thinking the problem is solved.
Sweden has the highest drug mortality rate in Europe, but far from the most liberal legislation.
To then claim that the problem lies in the fact that we have too weak penalties for drug offenses is laughable.
You claim to have the best interests of society in mind, but the reality is that your moralizing leads to more deaths and more misery.
You are complicit.
Take responsibility.
Hi,
there are many different opinions about the decriminalization/criminalization of drugs in society.
It's nothing that we've looked at in this review.
We have also not taken a position but told what we have been involved in and seen when we came into contact with these nitrous oxide sellers.
Susanna Ahnlund
SVT reporter
8 min
J •
I can add one more thing.
It is extremely widespread in high schools.
The latest survey showed that approx. 25% of the young people in the second year of secondary school in Gothenburg had tried nitrous oxide in the last 30 days.
It is many times how many people use e.g.
cannabis or other drugs.
It is even more than the number of people who drink alcohol.
Hello!
The schools we have been in contact with have told us that they had problems with cartridges and tubes found in the schoolyards.
Some have also told that young people took nitrous oxide at school.
They see it as a problem but at the same time difficult to access something that disappears from the body so quickly.
Here you can read the Central Association for Alcohol and Narcotics Information's latest survey.
Caroline Slotte
SVT reporter
8 min
AP •
I personally use a lot of nitrous oxide for cooking.
Tougher regulation would have been boring for those with a culinary interest, I think.
Hello,
it is probably something that is being discussed in connection with the government investigating whether nitrous oxide should continue to be legal.
Susanna Ahnlund
SVT reporter
9 min
Etc. young adult •
Hello, all parents!
Keep an eye on your children and young people, think about it and ask yourself if it is really reasonable that it is out too late - what is there really to do outside at 2-3 in the morning at that age?
Nothing healthy anyway.
Who do the children hang out with, do you know them and do you have good contact with their parents?
Be involved in the lives of your youth, this new modern society will otherwise spoil the children.
Rather be controlling and inquisitive once too much than too little.
Don't be afraid to show who's in charge (within reasonable and healthy limits of course), you'll be thanked and appreciated when your kids start growing up "for real".
Trust your gut, don't be naive.
I wish it wasn't so easy for me to keep up the fluff when I was a teenager.
Peace!
Hello!
Thank you for your opinion.
Yes, it is possible to keep track of balloons, tubes and cartridges if you want to keep an eye out for something.
We have met a girl we call "Klara" who suffered injuries after abusing nitrous oxide, please check out that report.
Caroline Slotte
SVT reporter
9 min
J •
I have worked with young people who have an addiction and are in need of hospitalization because of it.
Nitrous oxide is damn dangerous, is my experience.
Physically, I have probably not seen more damage with relatively short abuse than I have seen in young people with nitrous oxide.
People about 20 who used for a month or so who had to be wheeled out in a wheelchair after 2 years in hospital due to leg/arm pain.
Lustgast causes b12 deficiency, it deactivates the body's b12 reserves.
If you take nitrous oxide regularly, the body simply does not have access to b12.
B12 deficiency causes nerve damage that can be lifelong.
This can come after just a few months of use if you don't know what you're doing.
Really dangerous substance to use.
Hello,
it is a sad development you describe.
Just as you write, the vital vitamin B12 is deactivated when nitrous oxide is used.
Feel free to let us know if you want to tell us more or if you think something specific should be brought up:
susanna.ahnlund@svt.se
Here you can see what the doctor Per-David Alm at the neurology clinic in Västerås says:
Klara received "electrical shocks" from the nitrous oxide – so the addiction damaged her body |
SVT News
Susanna Ahnlund
SVT reporter
12 min
The ordinary journeyman •
Ban everything.
Neopuritanism is sacred.
Why should people be allowed to be drunk without it affecting anyone else?
Why not introduce mandatory fairs instead?
Sic
Hello!
Thanks for your point of view.
Some time ago, the government set up an investigation where they are checking whether a change in the law could be made to regulate the use of nitrous oxide.
It remains to be seen what that investigation shows and what they proceed with based on it.
Caroline Slotte
SVT reporter
13 min
Erik •
Nitrous oxide is extremely bad for the climate, even in small doses.
I find it strange that the media does not take up that angle when we are in an acute climate crisis.
Prohibit the use of nitrous oxide outside healthcare (where the gas is usually taken care of and does not escape into the atmosphere).
Hello!
When we did our research, we saw several media that addressed the climate aspect of nitrous oxide.
A very important question.
In this review, we have chosen to focus on social media and nitrous oxide's connection to heavier drugs.
Susanna Ahnlund
SVT reporter