Nitrous oxide: Difference between revisions

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In kink, nitrous oxide is often used in inhalant play, usually in the form of small pressurized canisters manufactured for use on whipped cream dispensers.
In kink, nitrous oxide is often used in inhalant play, usually in the form of small pressurized canisters manufactured for use on whipped cream dispensers.


==== Medical uses ====
== Background ==
 
=== Medical uses ===
Nitrous oxide is a mild general anesthetic. Unlike stronger anesthetics, it does not fully put patients to sleep but rather induces a state of sedation and pain reduction. This makes it particularly useful in procedures where total anesthesia is unnecessary or risky. It is often used in combination with other anesthetic agents to enhance their effect and reduce the needed dosage.
Nitrous oxide is a mild general anesthetic. Unlike stronger anesthetics, it does not fully put patients to sleep but rather induces a state of sedation and pain reduction. This makes it particularly useful in procedures where total anesthesia is unnecessary or risky. It is often used in combination with other anesthetic agents to enhance their effect and reduce the needed dosage.


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In dentistry, nitrous oxide is used for its ability to reduce anxiety and discomfort during dental procedures. It is administered through a mask that fits over the nose, allowing the patient to inhale a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen. The concentration can be adjusted to suit the patient's comfort and the requirements of the procedure.
In dentistry, nitrous oxide is used for its ability to reduce anxiety and discomfort during dental procedures. It is administered through a mask that fits over the nose, allowing the patient to inhale a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen. The concentration can be adjusted to suit the patient's comfort and the requirements of the procedure.


==== Mechanism of action ====
=== Mechanism of action ===
The exact mechanism by which nitrous oxide produces its anesthetic and analgesic effects is not fully understood. However, it is believed to involve the inhibition of NMDA receptors and activation of GABA receptors in the central nervous system. This action results in decreased sensation of pain and an overall state of sedation.
The exact mechanism by which nitrous oxide produces its anesthetic and analgesic effects is not fully understood. However, it is believed to involve the inhibition of NMDA receptors and activation of GABA receptors in the central nervous system. This action results in decreased sensation of pain and an overall state of sedation.


==== Safety in kink ====
== Use in kink ==
When administered correctly, nitrous oxide usually causes a feeling of euphoria and dizziness somewhat comparable to [[poppers]]. Other than a theoretical risk of B12 depletion, there are no known long-term effects of nitrous oxide use. Recovery from nitrous oxide is rapid, usually occurring within 30 seconds after administration has been ceased. While nitrous oxide is by itself non-toxic, it is an asphyxiating gas and can cause hypoxia when administered in large quantities, or when it is used in self-play.


==== Dangers in self-play ====
=== Safety ===
When administered correctly, nitrous oxide usually causes a feeling of euphoria and dizziness somewhat comparable to [[poppers]]. Other than a theoretical risk of B12 depletion<ref>https://www.acep.org/toxicology/newsroom/jun2021/nitrous-oxide-misuse-and-abuse/</ref>, there are no known long-term effects of nitrous oxide use. Recovery from nitrous oxide is rapid, usually occurring within 30 seconds after administration has been ceased. While nitrous oxide is by itself non-toxic, it is an asphyxiating gas and can cause [https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/hypoxemia/basics/causes/sym-20050930 hypoxia] when administered in large quantities, or when it is used in self-play.
 
=== Dangers in self-play ===
Nitrous oxide has been involved in numerous self-play accidents. As it has the potential to cause hypoxia, victims are usually unable to react accordingly by themselves. It is extremely dangerous to attempt self-play with nitrous with any arrangement that is not specifically designed to be hypoxia-safe.
Nitrous oxide has been involved in numerous self-play accidents. As it has the potential to cause hypoxia, victims are usually unable to react accordingly by themselves. It is extremely dangerous to attempt self-play with nitrous with any arrangement that is not specifically designed to be hypoxia-safe.


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== External links ==
== External links ==


* https://psychonautwiki.org/wiki/Nitrous_oxide
* [https://psychonautwiki.org/wiki/Nitrous_oxide Nitrous (PsychonautWiki)]
* [https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/nitrous-oxide Nitrous Oxide (National Institutes of Health PubChem)]
 
== References ==
<references />