“The increase in recreational use of nitrous oxide in certain regions of Europe is worrying,” said the director of the Lisbon-based European Observatory for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), Alexis Goosdeel, in a statement.
This concern is “growing”, according to the Observatory report. “Consumers generally feel that inhaling nitrous oxide is safe. However, we found that more frequent or more intense consumption of the gas increases the risk of serious harm, such as damage to the nervous system,” he specified.
Used legally as a food additive or as an anesthetic in medicine, the recreational use of nitrous oxide is experiencing “growing popularity” due to its availability and low price.
Do not “normalize” your consumption
“A profitable and expanding supply chain is developing, with specialized boutiques on the internet that promote the direct promotion of gas for creative usage or that propose sous couvert de son utilization pour fabriquer de la crème fouettée,” he notes. The report.
The number of poisonings registered by poison control centers has increased slightly. In France, for example, 134 cases were reported in 2020, compared to 10 in 2017.
“Therefore, it is important to avoid standardization and inadvertent promotion of its use. Specific actions and additional research are needed to improve understanding of the risks and reduce harm,” said EMCDDA chief Alexis Goosdeel.
Source: BFM TV
