If you’re wondering “what does laughing gas do,” you’re probably preparing for a dental procedure, curious about this commonly used sedative, or concerned about someone using it recreationally. Laughing gas, scientifically known as nitrous oxide, is a colorless, odorless gas that slows down your nervous system to create feelings of calm, relaxation, and euphoria. While it’s safe and effective when used medically under professional supervision, understanding exactly what laughing gas does to your body—and the serious dangers of misuse—is important for anyone encountering this substance.
This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about what laughing gas does, how it works, its medical uses, side effects, and the serious risks of recreational abuse.
What Is Laughing Gas?
Laughing gas is the common name for nitrous oxide (N2O), a chemical compound made of nitrogen and oxygen. It was first discovered in 1772 and got its nickname “laughing gas” in 1799 when scientist Humphry Davy noticed that inhaling it caused euphoria and sometimes uncontrollable giggles.
Key characteristics:
- Colorless, odorless, and sweet-tasting
- Not flammable but supports combustion like oxygen
- Acts as a mild sedative and pain reliever
- Wears off quickly once you stop breathing it
What Does Laughing Gas Do to Your Body?
When you breathe in laughing gas, it quickly enters your bloodstream through your lungs and travels to your brain and nervous system. Here’s what happens:
Immediate Physical Effects
Slows your nervous system: Nitrous oxide is a depressant, meaning it slows down your body’s reactions and nerve signals. This creates the calming effect that makes it useful for medical procedures.
Creates feelings of euphoria: The gas affects receptors in your brain that control mood, leading to feelings of happiness, relaxation, and well-being. This is why people sometimes giggle or laugh while under its influence.
Reduces pain sensitivity: Laughing gas has analgesic properties, meaning it dulls your ability to feel pain. However, it doesn’t eliminate pain completely, which is why dentists typically combine it with local anesthesia.
Alters perception: Your sense of time and space may change temporarily. Minutes may feel like seconds, or the room might feel different than it actually is.
How It Feels
People describe the experience of laughing gas as:
- Light-headed or floating sensation
- Tingling in hands, feet, arms, or legs
- Heaviness in limbs
- Warmth spreading through the body
- Relaxed and carefree feeling
- Giggling or finding things funnier than usual
- Slight drowsiness while remaining awake and aware
Important: Despite the name, laughing gas doesn’t necessarily make everyone laugh. The effects vary from person to person.
How Quickly Does Laughing Gas Work?
One of the biggest advantages of nitrous oxide is how fast it works:
- Onset: Effects begin within 2 to 5 minutes of breathing the gas
- Peak effect: Reaches maximum effectiveness quickly
- Duration: Lasts only as long as you’re breathing it
- Recovery: Effects wear off within 5 to 10 minutes after the gas is turned off
This rapid onset and quick recovery make laughing gas ideal for medical and dental procedures.
Medical Uses of Laughing Gas
Laughing gas has been used in healthcare for over 150 years. Here’s how medical professionals use it:
Dental Procedures
This is the most common use. Dentists use laughing gas to help patients:
- Relax during cleanings, fillings, or extractions
- Reduce anxiety about dental work
- Sit still for longer procedures
- Feel less pain and discomfort
The gas is delivered through a small mask that fits over your nose. You breathe normally and remain conscious throughout the procedure.
Medical Procedures
Beyond dentistry, laughing gas is used for:
- Minor surgical procedures
- Childbirth pain relief (especially popular in the UK)
- Pediatric procedures to calm anxious children
- Emergency pain management in ambulances
- Treating severe pain when combined with other medications
General Anesthesia
Nitrous oxide is sometimes used as part of general anesthesia, though it’s not strong enough to be used alone. It has a minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of 105%, meaning it cannot achieve full anesthesia by itself and must be combined with stronger anesthetic agents.
How Laughing Gas Is Administered
When used medically, here’s the typical process:
Before the procedure:
- Your healthcare provider asks for consent
- You’re advised to eat only a light meal before (to prevent nausea)
- They explain what to expect
During the procedure:
- A mask is placed over your nose (or nose and mouth)
- A mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen flows through (typically 30% nitrous oxide, 70% oxygen)
- You breathe normally
- Effects begin within a few minutes
- The dosage can be adjusted if needed
- You remain awake and can respond to questions
After the procedure:
- The nitrous oxide is turned off
- You breathe pure oxygen for about 5 minutes
- This clears the gas from your system
- You feel alert again within 5-10 minutes
- You can usually drive home shortly after (typically within 15 minutes)
Side Effects of Laughing Gas
Most people tolerate laughing gas well, but side effects can occur, especially if too much is given or if it’s inhaled too quickly.
Common Side Effects
These usually go away once the gas is stopped:
- Nausea or vomiting: The most common side effect (eating lightly before helps prevent this)
- Dizziness: Feeling unsteady or lightheaded
- Headache: Usually prevented by breathing oxygen after the procedure
- Drowsiness: Feeling sleepy or tired
- Excessive sweating: Some people get warm and sweaty
- Shivering: Others feel cold
Less Common Side Effects
- Mild hallucinations
- Tingling sensations that persist
- Confusion or disorientation
- Ringing in the ears
- Balance problems
Rare Allergic Reactions
Very rarely, people may be allergic to nitrous oxide. Signs include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Hives or rash
- Swelling of face, lips, or throat
- Rapid heartbeat
If you experience these symptoms, tell your healthcare provider immediately.
Is Laughing Gas Safe?
When administered by trained healthcare professionals, laughing gas is very safe. Here’s why:
Safety features:
- Always mixed with oxygen (at least 30% oxygen in medical settings)
- Can be adjusted or stopped immediately if problems occur
- Doesn’t accumulate in the body
- Leaves your system quickly
- No drug interactions with most medications
- Doesn’t cause organ damage when used properly
Safety for children: The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry considers laughing gas safe and effective for children over age 3. It helps anxious or fearful children receive necessary dental care.
Safety for pregnancy: While generally avoided in the first trimester, nitrous oxide is commonly used for pain relief during labor in many countries, particularly the UK and Australia.
Who Should Not Use Laughing Gas?
Laughing gas isn’t appropriate for everyone. You should tell your healthcare provider if you have:
Medical conditions:
- COPD or other chronic respiratory diseases
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Severe mental health conditions
- History of substance abuse
- Certain genetic conditions (like MTHFR deficiency)
- Recent ear surgery or middle ear problems
- Bowel obstruction or severe bloating
Pregnancy: Generally avoided in the first trimester due to limited research on effects on fetal brain development.
Cannot follow instructions: Very young children (under 3-4) who can’t understand how to breathe through the mask.
The Dangerous Side: Recreational Use of Laughing Gas
While laughing gas is safe when used medically, recreational abuse has become a growing public health concern, particularly among teenagers and young adults. Understanding these dangers is crucial.
Why People Abuse Laughing Gas
Recreational users, often called “whippets” or “hippie crack,” seek:
- A quick, cheap high lasting 1-2 minutes
- Feelings of euphoria and relaxation
- Mild hallucinations
- Altered perception of time and space
The gas is easily accessible through:
- Whipped cream chargers (small canisters)
- Cooking spray propellants
- Larger industrial canisters
How Recreational Users Take It
The typical method involves:
- Releasing gas from a canister into a balloon
- Inhaling the gas from the balloon
- Holding breath to prolong effects
- Repeating multiple times
Why this is dangerous: Unlike medical use where nitrous oxide is mixed with 70% oxygen, recreational use involves 100% nitrous oxide, creating serious risks.
Serious Health Risks of Recreational Use
Immediate Dangers
Oxygen deprivation (hypoxia):
- Breathing pure nitrous oxide means you’re not getting oxygen
- This can cause brain damage or death within minutes
- Deaths have occurred from asphyxiation
Accidents and injuries:
- Loss of coordination while intoxicated
- Falls causing head injuries or broken bones
- Car accidents if driving while intoxicated
- Burns and frostbite from touching cold canisters (the gas gets extremely cold when released under pressure)
Loss of consciousness:
- Passing out unexpectedly
- Risk of choking or aspiration
- Potential for fatal accidents
Long-Term Dangers of Heavy Use
Vitamin B12 deficiency: This is the most serious long-term complication.
Nitrous oxide inactivates vitamin B12 by oxidizing it, making it non-functional in your body. Vitamin B12 is essential for:
- Maintaining the myelin sheath that protects nerves
- Producing red blood cells
- DNA synthesis
- Proper brain function
Symptoms of B12 deficiency from nitrous oxide:
- Tingling or numbness in hands and feet (“pins and needles”)
- Weakness in legs and arms
- Difficulty walking
- Balance problems
- Memory problems
- Confusion
- Psychiatric symptoms (depression, psychosis)
Severe complications:
- Peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage)
- Subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord
- Megaloblastic anemia (abnormal blood cells)
- Permanent paralysis
- Irreversible neurological damage
Studies show that 79-80% of heavy recreational users have elevated markers indicating B12 dysfunction, even when total B12 blood levels appear normal.
Case Studies Show Serious Consequences
Medical literature documents numerous cases of young people (often teenagers to mid-20s) suffering:
- Inability to walk
- Permanent nerve damage requiring walking aids
- Chronic pain
- Bladder and bowel dysfunction
- Months of rehabilitation with incomplete recovery
One documented case involved an 18-year-old using 75-100 canisters daily who developed severe neuropathy requiring a walking frame. Even after treatment, he had residual symptoms six months later.
Warning Signs of Nitrous Oxide Abuse
If you’re concerned about someone, watch for:
- Empty whipped cream chargers or balloons
- Metallic canisters in their possession
- Distinctive “whooshing” sound when releasing gas
- Unexplained neurological symptoms
- Changes in coordination or walking
- Complaints of tingling or numbness
- Unexplained anemia
Treatment for Recreational Abuse Complications
If nerve damage occurs from nitrous oxide abuse:
- Immediate cessation of all nitrous oxide use
- High-dose vitamin B12 supplementation (usually injections)
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Substance abuse counseling
- Long-term B12 monitoring
The good news: If caught early and treated aggressively, many neurological symptoms can be reversed. However, delayed treatment can result in permanent damage.
Laughing Gas vs. Other Sedation Methods
How does laughing gas compare to other sedation options?
Advantages:
- Fast-acting and fast-wearing off
- No needles required
- Can adjust dosage during procedure
- Patient remains conscious and responsive
- Can drive shortly after
- Minimal side effects
- Works well for anxiety
Disadvantages:
- Doesn’t eliminate pain completely
- Not strong enough for major procedures
- Some people don’t respond well to it
- Can cause nausea
- Not suitable for everyone
- Requires patient cooperation (breathing through mask)
Addiction Potential
Good news: Laughing gas is not physically addictive in the way drugs like cocaine or opioids are. It doesn’t alter brain chemistry through dopamine pathways that create physical dependence.
However: Psychological dependence can develop. People may crave the pleasant feelings and continue using despite knowing the risks.
Legal Status of Laughing Gas
The legal status varies by location:
United States: Legal for medical use and food preparation. No federal laws against personal possession, but some states have restrictions.
United Kingdom: As of November 2023, possession of nitrous oxide for recreational purposes is illegal (Class C drug). Medical and commercial uses remain legal.
Other countries: Varies widely. Check local laws.
Important Facts to Remember
- Laughing gas used medically is 30% nitrous oxide + 70% oxygen
- Recreational “whippets” are 100% nitrous oxide (very dangerous)
- Effects last only minutes when used properly
- It doesn’t put you fully to sleep—you remain conscious
- Heavy recreational use can cause permanent nerve damage through B12 deficiency
- Medical use by trained professionals is very safe
- Recreational use is extremely risky despite seeming “harmless”
The Bottom Line
So, what does laughing gas do? When used medically, nitrous oxide safely and effectively reduces anxiety and pain during dental and medical procedures. It works quickly, wears off fast, and allows you to go about your day shortly after. The gas slows your nervous system, creating feelings of calm and euphoria while dulling pain sensitivity.
However, the same properties that make laughing gas useful medically make it dangerous when misused recreationally. Without proper oxygen mixture and professional supervision, nitrous oxide can cause immediate risks like oxygen deprivation and serious long-term complications including permanent nerve damage from vitamin B12 deficiency.
If you’re receiving laughing gas for a medical procedure, rest assured it’s safe in the hands of trained professionals. If you or someone you know is using it recreationally, understand the very real dangers—what seems like harmless fun can lead to irreversible neurological damage or even death.
When it comes to laughing gas, context matters. Medical use: safe and beneficial. Recreational abuse: seriously dangerous.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About What Laughing Gas Does
1. What does laughing gas do to your brain?
Laughing gas slows down your nervous system by affecting neurotransmitter receptors in your brain. It inhibits NMDA receptors, activates GABA-A receptors (creating calm), and stimulates endogenous opioid release (providing pain relief). This combination creates feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and reduced anxiety. It also temporarily alters your perception of time and space. The effects reverse completely within 5-10 minutes after you stop breathing the gas, as it doesn’t accumulate in your body and is exhaled through your lungs.
2. Does laughing gas actually make you laugh?
Not necessarily. Despite its name, laughing gas doesn’t make everyone laugh. The name comes from the euphoric, relaxed feeling it creates, which can make some people giggly or cause them to laugh at things they normally wouldn’t find funny. However, many people simply feel calm and happy without laughing at all. The effects vary from person to person—some laugh, some feel dreamy or floaty, and others just feel relaxed and comfortable throughout their procedure.
3. How long does laughing gas last?
Laughing gas works very quickly and wears off just as fast. Effects begin within 2 to 5 minutes of breathing the gas and last only as long as you’re inhaling it. Once your healthcare provider turns off the gas flow, the effects wear off within 5 to 10 minutes. After breathing pure oxygen for about 5 minutes, you’ll feel completely back to normal. This rapid recovery is why you can usually drive yourself home within 15 minutes of a procedure using laughing gas.
4. Is laughing gas safe for children?
Yes, laughing gas is considered safe for children when administered by trained healthcare professionals. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends it for fearful, anxious, or uncooperative children during dental procedures. It’s generally safe for children over age 3 who can understand how to breathe through a nose mask. The gas helps children remain calm and still during procedures that might otherwise be frightening or uncomfortable. Side effects in children are similar to adults (possible nausea or dizziness) and wear off quickly once the gas is stopped.
5. Can you drive after laughing gas?
Yes, in most cases you can drive shortly after receiving laughing gas for a dental procedure. Unlike stronger sedatives, nitrous oxide clears your system within 5 to 10 minutes after the gas is turned off. The California Dental Association recommends waiting about 15 minutes to ensure you’re fully alert before driving. However, always follow your healthcare provider’s specific instructions, as individual responses can vary. If you feel dizzy, drowsy, or “off” in any way, wait longer or arrange alternative transportation.
6. What are the dangers of recreational laughing gas use?
Recreational nitrous oxide use poses serious health risks. Immediate dangers include oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) leading to brain damage or death, loss of consciousness causing falls and injuries, and frostbite from cold canisters. Long-term heavy use causes vitamin B12 deficiency, leading to potentially permanent nerve damage with symptoms like tingling, numbness, weakness, difficulty walking, and in severe cases, paralysis. Studies show 79-80% of heavy recreational users develop B12 dysfunction. Unlike medical use (30% nitrous oxide, 70% oxygen), recreational “whippets” are 100% nitrous oxide, making them extremely dangerous.
7. Does laughing gas have any side effects?
Common side effects include nausea or vomiting (especially on a full stomach), dizziness, headaches, drowsiness, and excessive sweating or shivering. These effects typically go away once the gas is stopped. Less common side effects include mild hallucinations, tingling sensations, confusion, or balance problems. Serious side effects are rare when administered properly but can occur if too much gas is given. Breathing pure oxygen for 5 minutes after the procedure helps prevent headaches and clears remaining gas from your system.
8. Why is vitamin B12 deficiency a concern with laughing gas?
Nitrous oxide inactivates vitamin B12 by oxidizing it, making it non-functional in your body. Vitamin B12 is essential for maintaining the myelin sheath that protects nerves, producing red blood cells, and proper brain function. With medical use (occasional exposure), this isn’t a concern. However, heavy recreational use causes functional B12 deficiency even when blood B12 levels appear normal. This leads to nerve damage, starting with tingling and numbness, potentially progressing to weakness, difficulty walking, paralysis, and permanent neurological damage. Treatment requires immediate cessation of nitrous oxide and aggressive B12 supplementation.
9. What does laughing gas feel like during a dental procedure?
Most people describe feeling light-headed, relaxed, and slightly floaty or dreamy. You might feel tingling in your hands and feet or heaviness in your limbs. Some people feel warm, while others get mild giggles. You remain awake and aware of what’s happening—you can hear the dentist, respond to questions, and follow instructions. The room might feel slightly different or time might seem to pass differently. Most importantly, you feel much calmer about the procedure and pain is significantly reduced. The experience is generally pleasant and not at all scary for most people.
10. Is laughing gas addictive?
Laughing gas is not physically addictive like opioids or cocaine—it doesn’t alter brain chemistry through dopamine pathways that create physical dependence. However, psychological dependence can develop. Some people may crave the pleasant feelings and continue using it recreationally despite knowing the risks. When used medically for dental or medical procedures, addiction is not a concern because exposure is brief, infrequent, and controlled. The addiction risk primarily applies to those who abuse nitrous oxide recreationally and repeatedly seek the euphoric high it provides.
