Abuse of nitrous oxide

Abstract

The results of an anonymous questionnaire showed that up to 20% of medical and dental students have utilized nitrous oxide in a social setting to produce a "high." Nitrous oxide was obtained from a variety of sources, most often from cylinders used in the production of whipped cream. Although none of the 524 respondents described personal injury with the use of nitrous oxide, a few individuals reported cyanosis, nausea, and syncope.