Publish And Be Damned - Laughing Matters

laughing matters sarah street & becky brighton

laughing

matters

Nitrous oxide, N2O, is a colourless, almost odourless gas, that was first discovered in 1772 by the English scientist and clergyman Joseph Priestley.

Following Priestley’s discovery, Humphry Davy of the Pneumatic Institute in Bristol, England, experimented with the physiological properties of the gas, such as its effects upon respiration.

He even administered the gas to visitors to the institute, and after watching the amusing effects on people who inhaled it, coined the term ‘laughing gas’!

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“

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light headed and

drunk

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avy even noted the anaesthetic effects of the gas: “As nitrous oxide in its extensive operation appears capable of destroying physical pain, it may probably be used with advantage during surgical operations in which no great effusion of blood takes place”.

However, despite this observation, for the next 40 years or so the primary use of N2O was for recreational enjoyment and public shows. So called nitrous oxide capers took place in travelling medicine shows and carnivals, where the public would pay a small price to inhale a minute’s worth of the gas.

People would laugh and act silly until the effect of the drug came to its abrupt end, when they would stand about in confusion. Many famous people (of their time) and dignitaries from Clifton and Bristol came to inhale Davy’s purified nitrous oxide for recreational purposes.

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CAN I PINCH A NOZZIE?

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An expression heard many a time at teenage and young adult parties.

Although the routine use of Nitrous Oxide in anaesthesia is declining in the UK, there has been a recent resurgence of recreational use of the gas. It’s now widely used at festivals, raves and university parties.

Around 1.3 million English and Welsh young adults (aged 16 to 24) took ‘any drug’ in the year 2018/2019 - with 2019/2020 figures not yet realeased. That’s on average 1 in every 5 people. So it comes as no surprise that Nitrous Oxide continued to be the second most used drug among young adults, with 8.7% having used it - a similar proportion to the year before’s survey results at 8.8%. This equates to around 552,000 young adults who have used Nitrous Oxide in that year and the drug being more popular than cocaine, ketamine and ecstasy.

When asked, most young adults confess to doing Nos (it’s common abbreviation) because it’s “fun and reasonably cheap”. It is something that has become easily accessible over the years,

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being supplied by corner and online shops who sell it in preasurised canisters intended for use in the food industry as a mixing and foaming agent in the production of whipped cream. This means that anyone who so wishes can buy it with ease.

“It’s

something fun to do between d a n c i n g

”

“I feel like I’m floating or that I’ve been holding my breath for too long. But I prefer to look at it that I’m floating as it sounds more select - anyone can hold their breath!” explains one 18 year old student at UWE Bristol when asked ‘how does Nitrous Oxide make you feel?’. Others also described it as a feeling of light headedness or seeming more drunk for a few short seconds.

When Nitrous Oxide is released into a balloon (the method used for recreational purposes) and inhaled, it has a very rapid

onset of action. Such that the physiological effects begin within seconds.

It’s rapid offset of action and lack of hangover effect means that the user may safely resume normal activities within a short time of exposure.

“I remember the first time I took Nos, it was fairly recently in my first term of University. It was a bit shit. I thought the feeling would last longer.” says another UWE Bristol student. It seems some seek a drug that has longer effects on the brain and body, perhaps making it feel more worthwile.

The same student later went on to say that “[she doesn’t] really do Nos anymore. I don’t find it very good” when asked ‘why do you do Nos?’ Like the statisitcs show, some remember first doing Nos at age 16; “I was on holiday in Kavos. I was confused as to what it [Nos] actually was. 5 years on I still do Nos at parties and social gatherings. I still don’t understand fully what it is and what effects it has on your body ...

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... I’m aware there are health risks, but what they are specifically I don’t know.” explains 21 year old UWE Bristol student. Whilst the other students we interviewed told us that they are aware of the health risks such as the restricted flow of oxygen to your brain, but they feel that since the ‘high’ lasts such a short amount of time they’re able to control the amount they take. “Some nights I might only have 5 canisters, but then other nights I could easily smash a whole box”.

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NO LAUGHING MATTER - 24 YEAR OLD LEFT PARALYSED AFTER INHALING LAUGHING GAS

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or young Bristol mum Olivia Golding, inhaling Nitrous Oxide balloons was just something she did occasionally with friends, but the 24 year old was hospitalised in 2018 with no choice but to learn how to walk again due to the devastating impact the habit had on her life.

Olivia was admitted to Southmead Hospital and suffered from Lichtheim’s disease - a condition caused by damage to her spinal chord which left her with little to no feeling from the chest down.

“It’s not even something I really enjoyed doing” Olivia told Bristol Live from her bed at Southmead Hospita. “It’s just one of those things that you end up doing when you go out with friends.”

Olivia first noticed she had pins and needles in her neck and back while doing a balloon about a month before she was admitted to hospital. She said that over that month her body slowly became numb, deteriorating in front of her own eyes. “It got to the point where I could no longer move my hands or even dress myself.”

She said: “I would only ever do two or three at a time, and I have been around people who have done hundreds in one night before...

... the effect of a balloon only lasts around 10 seconds, and yet now my life is going to be affected for a long time

”

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Olivia’s nervous system has been damaged by the Nitrous Oxide and she is unable to use her hands and cannot walk. But the hardest part was being unable to play with or cuddle her now five year old son Parker, who she had to Face Time each day from her hospital bed.

“I just can’t bear for him to see me like this,” Olivia said. “It’s hard enough having my friends come and see me. They are all absolutely devasated. This really is a wake up call for them, seeing me unable to feed myself or dress myself. I hope I can share my story and it will be a wake up call for other people who, like me, thought it was just harmless thing to do at festivals or on the odd night out.”

The doctors are now going to focus on trying to reverse this for Olivia but it’s important that everyone is aware that the 20 second high off that one balloon could cause you weeks in hospital teaching yourself to walk properly again. “Please think of the consequences and raise awareness of Nitrous Oxide. My treatment has begun so now it’s a waiting game of the reversibility and the praying that it can be successfully reversible” she added. “I understand most people will look at this post and think ‘it won’t happen to me’ but I thought that when I was sat with my friends and going to festivals until I woke up last week unable to move.

I had perfectly good health before all this.”

After a week in hospital, Olivia managed to take 12 steps with help of physiotherapists.

She is expected to spend a significant time in hospital with long term rehabilitation.

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“60% OF BRITISH

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WOMEN SAID THEY RELYED ON NITROUS OXIDE TO GET THEM THROUGH CHILD BIRTH”

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NITROUS OXIDE AS AN ANESTHETIC

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itrous Oxide has significant medical uses, especially in surgery and dentistry, for it’s anaesthetic and pain reducing effects. It has been used in child birth for over 50 years in the UK, with 60% of British women saying they relyed on it to help them through labour.

However Nitrous Oxide does not actually reduce pain or take away the sensation of contractions, like an epidural does. Instead, it relieves anxiety, which helps in the tolerance of pain.

Anecdotal reports suggest Nitrous Oxide works best when women start breathing it in about 30 to 60 seconds before their next contraction so the peak effect of the gas occurs during the peak of the contraction.

This is not an exact process, especially in early labor when contractions may not be regular or predictable. Studies have shown Nitrous Oxide has an analgesic effect similar to short-acting patient-administered narcotics, such as an IV PCA pump.

Nitrous Oxide can be used during any stage of labor or after the delivery if there is need for

repair of a laceration or manual extraction of retained placenta. Because the effects wane so quickly, converting to another form of anesthesia can be done without delay. Nitrous Oxide can even be used during epidural placement.

Experts agree that, for most people, Nitrous Oxide in the concentration recommended for labor is relatively safe. The side effects are similar to those from narcotics, though they’re shorter-lasting. Some women may feel dizzy or nauseous while they’re breathing the gas until a few minutes after they stop. Since it is cleared via the lungs, it is not recommended for women with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or any severe upper airway obstruction (this does not include mild asthma). Women known to have B12 deficiency or pernicious anemia, as well as those known to have an MTHFR gene mutation, should also not use Nitrous Oxide in labor.

While it has been used for years in Europe and the UK with no observed immediate effect on the newborn, there are no long-term studies.

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hippie

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crack

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Nitrous oxide, also known as hippy crack, has become popular at music festivals, but the Royal College of Nursing said that it can cause choking or tightness in the chest, nausea or vomiting and a dangerously high heart rate. Since 2001, nitrous oxide (laughing

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gas, Noz, hippie crack, chargers or balloons) has been involved in the deaths of 36 people in England and Wales.

Deaths doubled between 2015 and 2016 from four to eight and it is the second most popular

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drug among 16 to 24-year-olds. With it being found ‘everywhere’ at Glastonbury Festival, Notting Hill Carnival and other large events.

meaning at some festivals security simply ‘didnt care’; “If a fight broke out I would call for backup, but if they’re doing that I don’t care.”

Nitrous oxide at the start of the re visited craze was a bit of a ‘grey area’

And tough

one but

dealer has said “its once youre in youre in”

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22 Nitrous oxide is legally used by medics for pain relief, and sold for the production of whipped cream perposes only. However the psychoactive drug can be found and bought easily, if knowing where to go.

‘Nos’ is a psychoactive drug and is covered by the 2016 Psychoactive Substances Act, which means it’s illegal to give away or sell.

There’s no penalty for possession, unless you’re in prison.

Supply and production can get you years in prison, an unlimited fine

up or

to 7 both.

In 2016, a drug dealer was caught selling ‘hippy crack’ at Parklife festival two weeks after the product had been criminalised. He was found with £341 in cash, 77 canisters of nitrous oxide, more than 40 balloons and four ‘crackers’, which help transfer the drug into balloons. The total value of the drugs was estimated at £385, based on each canister being sold for £5. A value that usually increases at music festivals and concerts, for profit.

In an anonymous interview, the difficulty level of buying nos was found. Being told that you could easily buy nos in certain local corner shops, if you asked for the correct product name (not its psychoactive nickname) and online, aslong as you said you where going to use the product due to being a chef.

You can find the average price for a “box of cream chargers” ranges from £15 - £20, this includes 24 cannisters.

“it was big money eventually i started making £900 A WEEKEND” laughing matters

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he small silver canisters that conatin Nitrous Oxide are often found littered about on the sides of roads,trodden into fields/parks or lying around next to bins and recycle points.

The cardboard boxes they are packaged in are also often found in close proximatey to the empty canisters. But not everyone is aware of the devasting damage these have on the environment.

Environmental podcaster Clare Osborn, who hosts ‘Clare Talks Rubbish’, is a member of Ocean’s 8 Brighton – a group of women with expertise in environmental issues. Osborn spends a lot of time litter-picking canisters and balloons on Brighton beach during a clean-up after each year’s famous Pride Festival. Not only is it littering to leave canisters behind, but the balloons often used with them can have a deadly impact on local wildlife.

Dr Alex Bond, senior curator in charge of birds at the Natural History Museum, says when the balloons enter the ocean, birds often mistake them for food: “When the plastics are ingested, they can accumulate in the birds’ guts where they can transfer harmful chemicals, perforate the stomach wall, and give the birds a fall sense of being full - as well as displacing actual food,” he explains. “So we regularly see chicks that are severely underweight with large amounts of plastics [in their bodies], and their survival prospects are not good.”

Balloons are particularly problematic because they aren’t “rigid plastics”, he says, and therefore block the gut. Between 80-90% of

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flesh-footed Shearwater chicks (the seabirds he works with in Australia) have plastic in their stomachs.

Clare Osborn and a team of 1,000 volunteers who took part in the big clean-up after Brighton Pride spent time separating the canisters and balloons because, as the canisters are made from steel, they are recyclable. But they are usually thrown into bin bags, and ultimately end up in landfill.

A staggering 150kg of the metal litter-picked from the beach was empty Nitrous Oxide canisters, while the team also collected 4kg of balloons - and that’s only Brighton beach alone! It doesn’t even bare thinking about the amount that must be lying around Britain.

sculptural creations. Designer Matthew Kavanagh is upcycling these miniature pressure vessels into glamorous light fittings.

“In the process of cycling around London in the past year, I was getting increasingly curious about these canisters you see everywhere on the street,” he says.

Once he found out what they were, “it seemed such a terrific waste of quite a beautifully engineered component, which has a fast single use. I could just visualise a big sphere of them glistening, something that looked luxurious rather than discarded on the street.”

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The small canisters, which are often advertised as whipped cream refills, are made of ‘100% recyclable steel’ which can be weighed in for money at scrap yards and recycling plants.

Debbie Moorhouse, co-founder of sustainable business organisation Certified Made in the UK, told Metro.co.uk recycling companies should take advantage of the sheer amount of discarded canisters. She said: “Steel is very recyclable. Businesses should implement a take back scheme where they can then recycle the empty canisters into new products, which not only benefits the environment but reduces costs.”

H&S Metals, one of Britain’s biggest scrap metal firms, accepts Nitrous Oxide canisters and depending on the daily rate could pay over £100 per tonne.

Alternatively, some artists have been reaching to the discarded canisters as a medium for 3D

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