Nitrous oxide is harmless and non-irritating to
the respiratory tract, but concentrations over
50 ppm reduce dexterity, cognition and motor
and audiovisual skills (Adriani, 1983;[NL]
Ellenhorn and Barceloux, 1988).
[NL]
Because of the high concentration of nitrous oxide required to
produce and maintain anaesthesia, hypoxia is an unavoidable
accompaniment to its use. During induction with high
concentrations of nitrous oxide, the oxygen in the lungs is
rapidly used up and the anoxia with increased respiratory
effort causes rapid depletion of carbon dioxide in the
tissues. [NL]
[NL]
Absence of carbon dioxide and depression of the medullary
centres by the anaesthetic quickly lead to respiratory failure,
and rarely, the patient's cerebral function fails to recover
from cerebral damage caused by the prolonged anoxia. The
brain suffers anoxia from the very beginning of the
administration of the gas, and not from just the moment of
cessation of respiratory movements. Thus, the period of
anoxia may be five minutes or more, sufficient to cause
permanent brain damage in the susceptible individual. The
arbitrary "safe period" of eight minutes may be too long for
some patients (Thienes and Haley, 1972).
....that said, it's a great little kick, innit? Did it at work a few times, and it was like, "where am I?.... where (and what) is everything??" Freaky and fun[NL]
