#7 Laughing gas is no laughing matter

Following discussions with Heads from other international schools in HCMC it is clear that numbers of our students are engaging in an activity called “ballooning.” As this article in AsiaLife explains this is definitely a trend in HCMC nightlife. We do feel that it is important that you understand this practice and the Health risks that are involved. Hence when we came across this recent post I thought that we should share with you our community.

“Laughing gas is no laughing matter

Nitrous oxide, commonly known as "laughing gas", is a chemical compound with the chemical formula N2O. At room temperature, it is a colorless non-flammable gas, with a pleasant, slightly sweet odor and taste. It is used in surgery and dentistry for its anesthetic and analgesic effects. It is known as "laughing gas" due to the euphoric effects of inhaling it, a property that has led to its recreational use as an inhalant drug.

Nitrous oxide belongs to a class of recreational drugs known as inhalants. Inhalants can be dangerous because they can be commonly found in substances in the home or workplace. Because inhalants are often contained in substances which are readily at hand, many people may not realize they are dangerous or easily abused. Inhalants may also be abused more often by younger people - children and adolescents.

In Hanoi, nitrous oxide abuse is frequently disguised by using balloons. The balloons are very, very, common throughout Hanoi, particularly in bars, night clubs, and where beer and liquor are readily available. They are generally very cheap or given away free. As of May 29th, 2019, they were banned from Hanoi city limits, but are still found legally in other parts of the country, for example, the Halong Bay Party Cruise.

When inhaled, nitrous oxide immediately produces a strong dissociative state that lasts for roughly a minute or so. During this timeframe, the user typically loses all motor control and cannot stand up without help. These effects pass very quickly, and for this reason, abusers of the gas often inhale repeated doses during a single session of use.

Nitrous oxide inhalation blocks the normal flow of oxygen to the brain. This occurs when the gas builds up in the body more rapidly than it can be removed through natural  elimination. The technical term for nitrous oxide’s effects on oxygen levels is diffusion hypoxia. Prolonged hypoxia can lead to permanent damage to the brain, and the impact can be cumulative with repeated abuse of the inhalant. This means that people who use the gas multiple times or for extended periods of time during a single session can develop increasing levels of oxygen deprivation. In some cases, the deprivation of oxygen to the brain has resulted in death. “