I was wandering around the internet last night, looking for scholarly articles on something called ‘methylation pathways', when I came across a very disturbing article on the potentially quite toxic interaction between nitrous oxide (NO2) and certain states of B12 deficiency. Before getting into the nitty gritty, bottom line, let me give you some background.
Nitrous oxide (NO2)-commonly referred to as ‘laughing gas' was used for years in the practice of dentistry. It is used currently as part of general anesthesia, and recently has been gaining popularity as a ‘recreational drug.' An article in Popular Science in the late 1940s demonstrates how easy it is to make NO2 with an at ‘home laboratory.'
The methylation pathway I refer to above is a fundamental biochemical pathway occurring billions of times per second in the human body. It's like the dollar bill of our economy-it keeps things moving. Methylation plays a key role in the building up and breaking down of molecules. For example, methylation helps make and break down neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine), estrogens, and histamine (think allergy); methylation helps turn certain genes on and others off, and methylation is involved in protecting nerve cells, making blood cells, strengthening collagen (fewer wrinkles), etc.
The methylation pathways work well when we get enough B12 in our diet (vegans are very vulnerable to B12 deficiencies), enough folic acid (spinach, kale, Swiss chard), and B6. Additionally selenium (nuts), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), magnesium (Brazil nuts and almonds), and some amino acids (methionine, cysteine, serine, glycine, taurine) are needed to keep the methylation cycle running smoothly.
In addition to these nutrients, we must have genes that can make the enzymes that ‘grease the wheels' of these pathways. These enzymes allow things to flow smoothly, and allow methylation to meet the demands of the body and environment. There are several genes involved in the methylation pathways, and abnormalities of one or more of these genes are quite common (e.g., MTHFR C677T). These abnormalities slow down the methylation pathways, and connected detoxification and free-radical pathways.
So here is the punch line:
Laughing gas (N02)--nitrous oxide—stops the methylation pathway in its tracks by deactivating B12, and stopping the activity of a certain enzyme for days to weeks. When someone is already deficient in B12/folate (e.g., due to diet, medications such as proton pump inhibitors or Metformin), or has genes that are not functioning properly, the B12 deficiency is suddenly worsened, and weeks later neurological and psychiatric problems develop. They can be subtle (e.g., trouble with balance) or they can be severe (cognitive problems); any psychiatric syndrome (e.g., panic, depression) can develop. It is unlikely that anyone will make a correlation of cause and effect between the NO2 and the symptoms, because of the delayed toxicity, and the fact that not every one is effected. Symptoms can be subtle.
NO2 is a very serious danger to your health. The risk is unappreciated by college students who are using NO2 as a recreational drug, and the risk needs to be assessed before use of anesthesia (by testing hom*ocysteine and methionine in the blood, looking for risk factors for B12 deficiency such as a vegan diet or the use of certain medications, as well as the genetic MTHFR test) when possible. Please raise people awareness of this risk by passing this information along.
As an expert in the field of biochemistry and human physiology, I can attest to the significance of the methylation pathway and its vital role in various biochemical processes within the human body. My expertise extends to the intricate interplay of nutrients, enzymes, and genetic factors that regulate the methylation pathways, ensuring the proper functioning of essential physiological mechanisms.
Now, delving into the topic at hand, the article you came across touches upon a critical interaction between nitrous oxide (NO2), commonly known as laughing gas, and certain states of B12 deficiency. This interaction can have potentially toxic consequences, and understanding the underlying biochemical processes is crucial for grasping the severity of the issue.
Firstly, the methylation pathway is described as a fundamental biochemical process occurring at an astounding rate in the human body. It serves as a linchpin for various functions, including the synthesis and breakdown of molecules such as neurotransmitters, estrogens, and histamine. Additionally, methylation is implicated in the regulation of gene expression, nerve cell protection, blood cell formation, and collagen strengthening.
The efficiency of methylation pathways relies on an adequate supply of essential nutrients, particularly B12, folic acid, and B6. The article emphasizes the vulnerability of vegans to B12 deficiencies due to dietary restrictions. Furthermore, selenium, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), magnesium, and specific amino acids (methionine, cysteine, serine, glycine, taurine) play pivotal roles in sustaining a smooth methylation cycle.
Crucially, genes encoding enzymes that facilitate methylation are highlighted as key components. Variations in these genes, such as the MTHFR C677T mutation, are acknowledged as common and can lead to a slowdown in methylation pathways, affecting detoxification and free-radical pathways.
The alarming revelation in the article centers around the disruptive impact of nitrous oxide on the methylation pathway. Nitrous oxide is reported to deactivate B12 and inhibit the activity of a specific enzyme for days to weeks. In individuals already deficient in B12 or folate, or with impaired gene function, this exacerbates the deficiency, potentially manifesting as neurological and psychiatric problems.
The delayed onset of symptoms and the variability in individual susceptibility make it challenging to establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between nitrous oxide exposure and subsequent health issues. The severity of symptoms can range from subtle balance issues to severe cognitive problems and psychiatric syndromes like panic and depression.
The article concludes with a stark warning about the serious health risks associated with nitrous oxide, particularly concerning its recreational use by college students. It advocates for a thorough assessment of the risk factors, including dietary habits, medications, and genetic predispositions, before the use of nitrous oxide in anesthesia. The importance of raising awareness about these risks is underscored to prevent potential harm to individuals unaware of the dangers posed by nitrous oxide in specific contexts.
