Hospitalizations From Nitrous Oxide Misuse Skyrocketing Over Last Four Years: Study

Researchers found the mean age of most nitrous oxide users who suffer hospitalization and adverse health effects was 19.7 years old.

According to a new study, recent concerns over the increasing recreational use of nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, are not limited to the U.S.

In the April issue of the Irish Medical Journal (IML), researchers warn that nitrous oxide related hospitalizations in Ireland have increased fourfold in recent years.

Nitrous Oxide Risks

Traditionally used in medical and dental procedures, as well as food preparation, nitrous oxide is increasingly being abused as a recreational drug, inhaled for a short-lived euphoric high. However, that brief high can carry serious health risks, including addiction, vitamin B12 deficiency, paralysis, hallucinations, neurological and cognitive problems, and death.

The growing abuse has been fueled in part by the sale of large nitrous oxide canisters that appear too large for ordinary medical or culinary use. These products are often sold online and in vape shops, packaged in bright colors and sweet or fruity flavors, and paired with devices designed to make inhalation easier. Last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned that misuse of nitrous oxide can cause severe spinal cord and neurological damage.

As reports of injuries continue to mount, manufacturers and distributors now face a growing number of nitrous oxide lawsuits. Plaintiffs allege the companies illegally marketed and sold the products for recreational use, while failing to warn consumers about the risk of serious physical harm and potential legal consequences.

Nitrous Oxide Abuse Study

For the new study, researchers from Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Ireland conducted a retrospective observational study using data on Dublin patients from 2020 to 2024. Led by Shahzad Bakhshi, the team looked for patient discharges coded for nitrous oxide (NO) misuse or toxicity.

During that time period, Dublin, which has a population of about 1.5 million, saw 63 nitrous oxide-related discharges from hospitals. This represented a four-fold increase from the first quarter of 2020 to the last quarter of 2023. The mean age of the victims was just under 20 years old, with males accounting for nearly 70% of those hospitalized.

“In conclusion, admissions to Irish hospitals with neurological consequences of inhaled NO misuse have greatly increased over the last four years, and this issue is predominantly affecting very young adults. A multi-targeted harm-reduction strategy is needed to reduce preventable harm and to lessen the burden on acute care services.”

-Shahzad Bakhshi, Recreational Nitrous Oxide Use: A Growing Trend with Unintended Consequences

The researchers found that the mean hospital stay was about eight days, and 52 of the patients, or about 82%, suffered from vitamin B12 deficiency. Patients frequently require physiotherapy, occupational therapy and social work, they noted.

Nitrous Oxide Lawsuits

In the U.S., the increase in recreational NO abuse has led to a number of nitrous oxide lawsuits being filed by those who have suffered severe, and often permanent injuries from recreational use against manufacturers, including Galaxy Gas, Baking Bad, Cosmic Gas and Miami Magic. Many also include Amazon as a defendant due to its role as a third-party seller.

These individuals say the manufacturers and Amazon failed to provide proper safety warnings and flaunted the law in a conscious decision to place profits over consumer safety.

Nitrous oxide attorneys are currently offering free consultations to individuals and families who may be eligible for compensation through a nitrous oxide lawsuit.

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