Laughing gas could offer rapid-acting treatment for depression, a study has found. Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is a colourless gas that is inhaled and commonly used as a painkiller. The gas, which was banned for recreational use in 2023, can make people feel light-headed, dizzy and relaxed - but heavy use can lead to a vitamin B12 deficiency, which can damage nerves in the spinal cord.
San José lawmakers are aiming to crack down on the proliferation of smoke shops and the sale of nitrous oxide canisters, or "whip-its." Officials are calling it a growing public health issue among youth, especially due to its easy accessibility. Inhaling nitrous oxide recreationally, which can deliver a short, euphoric high, poses "serious health risks, including neurological damage and in some cases, death," Rachel Roberts, San José's deputy director of code enforcement, said during Tuesday's meeting.