Nitrous Oxide: The Growing Trend Behind “Laughing Gas”
By Tall Cop Jermaine Galloway
Nitrous oxide, commonly called “laughing gas,” is a colorless gas with a long history of legitimate medical and dental use. In hospitals and dentist offices, it is used to help relax patients during procedures because it acts quickly and its effects wear off rapidly. Nitrous oxide falls into the drug category known as inhalants.
Most people associate nitrous oxide with dentistry, but from a “Boots On The Ground” perspective, we are increasingly seeing it show up outside of medical settings. Recreational misuse of nitrous has been around for years, but recently its visibility, accessibility, and popularity appear to be increasing in many communities.