Health officials are raising concern about easily obtained products that have names such as Cosmic Gas and Whip-It! The products are sold in neighborhood retail and convenience stores and might include attractive flavors like strawberry or watermelon. What’s troubling is that they contain nitrous oxide—which when inhaled can result in a variety of adverse health effects, ranging from lightheadedness to paralysis to death. Last week, the Food and Drug Administration posted a consumer warning about recreational misuse of products containing nitrous oxide. They’re meant for culinary applications—to create whipped cream for desserts, for example—but increasingly, the gas they contain is being inhaled by consumers looking for euphoric effects. In addition to more reports of adverse health events, poison control centers and emergency department visits related to nitrous oxide inhalation have increased as well, according to Associated Press.
Impaired Metabolism: Recreational nitrous oxide use is increasing, and according to a Yale School of Medicine post, it can have serious consequences, including permanent, full, or partial paralysis caused by impaired metabolism of vitamin B12. The post includes a case report and information for clinicians.