Laughing Gas Balloons Sold in Bars & Clubs in Bui Vien Aren't Safe (2024)

FAQs

What is the laughing gas in the nightclubs? ›

Nitrous oxide is a colourless gas that's most commonly found in pressurised metal canisters. You may have seen these shiny metal canisters or 'whippets' lying around in streets outside bars and nightclubs.

As the gas is also under constant pressure, it can cause ruptures in lung tissue when inhaled directly from these containers. Releasing the nitrous oxide into a balloon helps to warm the gas and normalise the pressure before inhaling. People can also harm themselves if they use faulty gas dispensers, which may explode.

Alongside the cheap beer vendors and dealers peddling marijuana and hard drugs is another, conceivably safer option for inebriation. They use these to blow up balloons full of nitrous oxide, more commonly known as laughing gas, and often used as an anesthetic, for their tipsy customers.

Known as “Happy Balloons” in Laos and Thailand, or “Funky Balls” in Vietnam, balloons filled with nitrous oxide have become a mainstay among young partygoers across Southeast Asia.

While the contents are unknown, balloons are commonly used for inhaling nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas or 'hippy crack' when used recreationally.

Most patients report the affects of laughing gas as a feeling of well-being, almost like a “happy drunk”, though nitrous oxide has none of the affects on judgment or coordination that being drunk has. Many patients also report physical sensations, such as a warm or light vibration sensation in the body.

Side effects of N2O include transient dizziness, dissociation, disorientation, loss of balance, impaired memory and cognition, and weakness in the legs. When intoxicated accidents like tripping and falling may occur. Some fatal accidents have been reported due to due to asphyxia (hypoxia).

Inhaling helium displaces oxygen, putting you at risk of side effects such as dizziness, loss of consciousness, and even death. You inhale helium from a balloon, and almost as if by magic, you sound like a cartoon chipmunk. Harmless as it may seem, though, inhaling helium can be dangerous — deadly, in fact.

Breathing in pure helium deprives the body of oxygen, as if you were holding your breath. If you couldn't breathe at all, you'd start to die in minutes—as soon as your body exhausted the supply of oxygen stored in the blood.

Nitrous oxide, also known as “laughing gas,” typically takes a few minutes to go into effect and lasts until someone stops the gas flow. Once the flow of nitrous oxide completely stops, it takes several minutes afterward for the patient to recover to a semi-normal state.

Is laughing gas illegal in Vietnam? ›

As regulations above, people who uses laughing gas balloons are not against the law in Vietnam because N₂O is not on the banned list.

MYTH 4: It Takes A Long Time Before Its Effects Wear Off.

After the dentist stops administering nitrous oxide, this tasteless and odorless drug won't stay in your system for a long time. Typically, its effects will wear off within 15 to 30 minutes. Before you know it, you'll be back at home and ready for action.

In Vietnam, the gas pumped into balloons can easily be bought at bars and pubs or social network at the cost of between 50,000-150,000 VND (2.08-6.25 USD) each, depending on their size. A person who inhales the gas usually bursts into laughter.

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a gas medication that healthcare teams use for anesthesia. N2O is very safe, and providers often use it with other anesthetic medications to provide adequate pain relief. N2O can cause long-term health conditions if someone uses it consistently, so it's best not to use it recreationally.

Nitrous oxide, an opioid addictive agent.

Hydrogen is lighter than air but it is flammable and as oxygen is present in the air, so the risk of explosion and fire is there. Helium is lighter than air and it is a non-combustible gas so it used to fill balloons.

Balloons float because they are filled with helium! Balloons can be filled with different types of gas.

Barrage balloons were an effective anti-aircraft measure in World War I and were widely embraced in World War II. The idea was that the cables holding the balloons created a hazard for aircraft engaged in low-level strafing or bombing.

Nitrous oxide is a gas that is inhaled recreationally for its rapid but short-lived feelings of euphoria, relaxation, calmness, and sense of detachment. While it has been used for almost 250 years, its use has increased in some European countries since 2010.

It can last up to 4-6 hours or longer after your procedure, and the benzodiazepine-based medication may interfere with your short-term memory, lead to problems with decision-making, and alter your emotional state, which is why you may see lots of videos of people acting strange or irrationally after sedation at the ...

Can laughing gas cause panic attacks? ›

Laughing gas can cause panic, depression, and cognitive problems.

Symptoms of Nitrous Oxide Overdose

The indications of a possible overdose are choking or tightness in the chest, irritation of the nose, eyes, and throat, seizures or hallucinations. Patients may also experience an increase in blood pressure increasing the risks of a stroke or heart attack.

You don't need to fast (avoid eating or drinking except water), or take any pills before your appointment. However, we do recommend that you avoid eating a big meal within 2 hours before your appointment.

Under United States federal law, possession of nitrous oxide is legal and is not subject to DEA purview. It is, however, regulated by the Food and Drug Administration under the Food Drug and Cosmetics Act.

Nitrosamines are formed in the manufacture of balloons when the rubber is processed to make it more resistant. These chemicals can be released when a balloon is inflated by mouth. These potential carcinogens are also found in products like beer, cured meats and canned fish.

How Long Do Helium Balloons Last? For latex, smaller 9-12” helium balloons will generally last from 8 to 12 hours (2-4x longer with hi-float), while the larger ones can last up to 2-3 days. Foil balloons typically last from 3 to 5 days, up to a few weeks.

If you take more than a couple of breaths of helium gas, you could pass out, but unless you hit your head when you fall, you're unlikely to suffer any lasting harm. You might get a headache and a dry nasal passage. Helium is non-toxic and you'll start breathing normal air as soon as you move away from the balloon.

You are breathing in strongly and immediately expelling the air. It contains very little CO2 as a consequence. Hence you can breath the balloon air far longer than one might expect. So no, you won't die from breathing in air from a balloon.

One of the biggest issues with nitrous oxide is the potential for side effects. These can include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and headaches. In some cases, patients may even experience hallucinations. Because of these risks, dentists no longer use nitrous oxide as a form of sedation.

Unlike general anesthesia, nitrous oxide is not intended to put you to sleep. You will still be conscious and aware of your surroundings, allowing you to communicate with your dentist and follow any instructions they give you.

What states is nitrous oxide illegal? ›

“Laughing Gas” is the common name for nitrous oxide.

Laughing gas and nitrous oxide are one in the same—a safe and effective anesthetic and sedation method administered to dental patients through a mask in an oxygen mixture. Laughing gas won't put you to sleep like general anesthesia.

Avoid Public Touching: Public displays of affection are not seen as appropriate. Avoid hugging, holding hands, and especially kissing in public. Even touching a member of the opposite sex is looked down upon. Modesty: It is important to keep your body covered.

Mixing nitrous oxide with other drugs or stimulants can put extra pressure on the heart, increase blood pressure, or disrupt the heart rate. Combining it with alcohol can lead to confusion, sluggishness, loss of body control, and diminished concentration level.

Though you are awake and responsive during the procedure, most patients don't remember anything due to the amnesiac properties of laughing gas. Because it's unlikely for you to remember what happened during the procedure, your fear of your next appointment is greatly reduced.

And we actually had that experience in Vietnam, at Old Quarter, Hanoi. Yes, you can get the CHEAPEST beer in the world here at just 10,000 VND or ₹35 ( Gosh! That's cheaper than an auto fare in Delhi). And for that price, we weren't disappointed with the taste at all.

Severe psychiatric disorders: Nitrous oxide can cause dreaming and hallucinations and should be avoided in patients with severe psychiatric disorders.

As a result, nitrous is contraindicated in patients in whom expansion of these air-filled cavities could compromise patient safety. This includes patients with pneumothorax, pulmonary blebs, air embolism, bowel obstruction, and those undergoing surgery of the middle ear.

Why do doctors not use nitrous oxide? ›

Firstly, it must be administered in a particular amount under fixed conditions; otherwise it can be dangerous for the patient. Secondly, its effect doesn't last for long. Hence, it's not always functional. Third, nitrous oxide makes patients light-headed and causes dizziness so not all patients are comfortable with it.

Nitrous oxide, an opioid addictive agent.

We show that psychotropic analgesic nitrous oxide is a partial opioid agonist since it fulfills all the following criteria to be classified as an opioid: 1) its effects are antagonised by various opioid antagonists including stereospecific naloxone antagonism; 2) it is cross tolerant with morphine; 3) its effects are ...

Nitrous oxide use is still legal and outside the purview of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). It is not detected on a routine drug screen, and patient history is key to establishing the diagnosis.

Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas or happy gas, is a colorless, non-flammable gas. This gas is used in medical and dental procedures as a sedative. It helps to relieve anxiety before the procedure and allow the patient to relax.

Nitrous oxide (N2O), more commonly referred to as laughing gas, is a mild sedative agent that safely and effectively manages pain and anxiety during dental treatment. The colorless and odorless nitrous oxide is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a small mask that fits over your nose.

Laughing gas, nitrous oxide, is also known as a colorless and odorless sedative provided by dentists to patients. The body's reaction time slows down when the gas is inhaled, resulting in a calm and euphoric feeling. Laughing gas functions as a mild sedative but can also be used to treat pain.

Nitrous oxide is a colourless gas that is most commonly found in pressurised metal canisters. You may have seen these metal canisters lying around in streets particularly outside bars and nightclubs. It is becoming increasingly popular with young people in the UK and is readily available to buy online.

Side effects of N2O include transient dizziness, dissociation, disorientation, loss of balance, impaired memory and cognition, and weakness in the legs. When intoxicated accidents like tripping and falling may occur. Some fatal accidents have been reported due to due to asphyxia (hypoxia).

Nitrous oxide, an opioid addictive agent.

Does laughing gas help with anxiety? ›

Does Nitrous Oxide Help with Anxiety? Yes, nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is a safe and effective alternative that helps patients with anxiety relax during medical procedures such as dental treatment. This type of sedation involves breathing/inhalation of laughing gas through a mask you wear over the nose.

It's very unlikely. Laughing gas can make you a bit more disinhibited, similarly to a few drinks, but not enough to lead to unusual and inappropriate behaviors.

For chronic exposure to nitrous oxide, it is recommended that the maximum exposure be 20 parts per billion (expressing a ratio between nitrous oxide and breathable air), and for acute exposures, no more than 100 parts per billion for one hour.

The ban comes a month after the independent Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) warned against one and said it would be disproportionate with the level of harm associated with nitrous oxide. It said such control could create “significant burdens” for legitimate uses of the substance.

Nitrous oxide is an odorless, colorless, non-flammable gas. While nitrous oxide is not flammable, it will support combustion to the same extent as oxygen. It leads to a state of euphoria, explaining its nickname, 'laughing gas. ' Nitrous oxide is the least potent inhalational anesthetic.