Nitrous Oxide Abuse Surges Among Students, Sparks Health Concerns
The recreational use of nitrous oxide, popularized in Tik Tok, has alarmed doctors.
An old party drug, nitrous oxide, once colloquially referred to as “laughing gas” or “hippy crack,” has seen a resurgence in popularity, particularly among college students, raising alarms among healthcare professionals. Traditionally used in medical settings for its anesthetic properties, the inhalant has found a new audience through social media platforms like TikTok, where its misuse has been documented and shared widely.
In one such viral video, Hootie Hurley, a DJ known for performing at fraternity events, described a disturbing scene at a fraternity house. In a TikTok video that has garnered over 4.4 million views, Hurley recounts, “We walk into the president’s chambers (at the fraternity) … and there’s three dudes carrying, like, Butane tanks,” he said. “And they’re going, ‘keep going, keep going, keep going!’” as he observed a student inhaling the gas to the point of unconsciousness. Hurley later encountered another individual engaging in similar behavior, highlighting that this was not an isolated incident but a trend extending beyond one group or location.
The video underscores a growing concern about the health risks associated with nitrous oxide abuse. Regular use can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency, which can cause neurological damage, including numbness in limbs, difficulty walking, and in severe cases, paralysis. Moreover, the lack of oxygen during inhalation can lead to suffocation or brain damage.
Doctors are increasingly vocal about the dangers. Nitrous oxide, when inhaled recreationally, is not mixed with oxygen as it is in medical use, posing a significant risk of hypoxia or oxygen deprivation.
This trend’s visibility on social media has not only popularized the drug among a new generation but also prompted discussions on the need for education and intervention. Universities and health organizations are urged to address this issue through awareness campaigns, highlighting the potential for addiction, health complications, and even death associated with nitrous oxide abuse.
The situation at fraternity houses, often known for their party culture, brings to light the need for stricter oversight and perhaps reevaluation of drug policies in these environments. As nitrous oxide continues to gain traction for its immediate euphoric effects, the medical community is calling for more aggressive action to curb this dangerous trend before it leads to irreversible harm.
