A 31-year-old woman has described how her addiction to an easy to access product left her partially paralysed.
The use of nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, as a recreational drug has been on the rise since Covid, with inhalation of the chemical compound inducing momentary feelings of euphoria.
However, the colloquial name of the gas belies its dangers and misuse can cause significant health impacts including lasting nerve and neurological damage, spinal degeneration and death.
Cartridges of nitrous oxide, also known as “nangs”, are sold in some tobacconists and online, with legitimate uses ranging from sedation in dental and medical clinics, to filling balloons and aerating whipped cream.
At the height of her addiction, 31-year-old Lu was inhaling between 1200 and 2400 small aluminium canisters of nitrous oxide a day to horrifying effect.
“I lost all motor function,” she told A Current Affair on Friday night, “I couldn’t flip a pancake, I couldn’t grip a fork, I couldn’t walk.”
“I was army crawling around my house, like dragging myself, because I couldn’t move my legs when it got really, really bad.
“It was terrifying.”
The partial paralysis wasn’t the only disturbing side effect Lu endured, with her abuse of the substance also triggering psychosis and dark hallucinations.
Her spiralling addiction, which she described as “devastating and completely life consuming,” has left her with permanent spinal cord injuries.
Sam, another former user interviewed on the program, was using far fewer canisters and also experienced significant side effects.
He said he was using up to 50 small canisters a day, which triggered a full mental breakdown that landed him in a psychiatric ward.
Users of nitrous oxide run the risk of asphyxiation, with less severe side effects including dizziness, weakness in the legs and impaired memory.
Deaths have also occurred as a result of injuries sustained while affected by the drug.
Despite the risks, the canisters are frequently obtained online through a variety of kitchen retailers and specialty sellers as the sale of nitrous oxide products are not regulated, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) told news.com.au last year.
“The TGA does not regulate the sale of nitrous oxide. Under the Poisons Standard, monitoring of compliance and enforcement of the controls on access to nitrous oxide is the responsibility of the states and territories,” a spokesperson said.
Many states have specific laws around the sale of nitrous oxide. In Western Australia, the purchase of “nangs” is limited to registered food and beverage businesses.
In Victoria and South Australia, it’s an offence for someone to sell or supply it to another, knowing that it will be used for human consumption. While in SA selling to anyone under 18, or between the hours of 10pm and 5am, is also illegal.
In Queensland, canisters of nitrous oxide found alongside tobacco or nicotine products can be seized by police.
