Laughing Gas

We all have heard about the laughing Gas and somehow all that most of us know about it is that it makes us laugh. Let’s find out how it works and for what purposes it is used.

Chemistry

Laughing Gas is the common name for Nitrous oxide or Nitrous which is a chemical compound. It’s an oxide of nitrogen and it’s formula is N2O. IUPAC – Dinitrogen monoxide.

It has a slight metallic taste and scent. It is colourless and non flammable gas at room temperature.

Working

When we inhale laughing Gas, the reaction time of our body slows down resulting in a calm and euphoric feeling. It also displaces the air in the lungs and prevents oxygen to enter your brain and blood. This leads to giggles and often mild hallucinations.

Uses

Laughing Gas is used as a sedative agent. It is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a small mask that fits over the nose.

It is used by the dentists to make the dental procedures more comfortable. It help the patient relax through the dental procedures by making them feel calm and reduces dental anxiety. Patients remain concious during the process but are not numb to pain. However, the perception of pain in altered. It is commonly used in procedures like root canals, wisdom teeth extraction, fillings, crowns, dental implants and veneers.

Side effects

Some side effects are long term while some are short term.

The short term side effects occur rarely due to too much inhalation or quick inhalations.

• Dizziness
• Nausea, vomiting
• Fatigue
• Shivering
• Excessive sweating

Some people might also experience the sensation of feeling high.

There are very little evidences that cause long term effects as Nitrous oxide wears off quickly.