The Ministry of Health has mandated the health departments of provinces and cities enhance measures aimed at limiting the usage of N2O, commonly referred to as laughing gas, exclusively to industrial settings at a time when the recreational use of the chemical among young people has become widespread in Vietnam.

As per Ministry of Health regulations, N2O can only be used as an industrial chemical and in food processing, and it is currently in the research phase for potential use in dental sedation and pain management.

However, many young people in Vietnam are inhaling N2O for recreational purposes as the colorless gas can create a feeling of intoxication.

Over the past few years, bars, clubs, and eateries throughout the country have sold N2O-filled balloons to partygoers at their venues.

In many cases, these partygoers suffered from N2O side effects, including transient dizziness, dissociation, disorientation, loss of balance, impaired memory and cognition, and weakness in the legs, while accidents like tripping and falling may occur, according to doctor Nguyen Trung Nguyen, director of the Poison Control Center at Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi. 

Some fatal accidents have been reported due to asphyxia.

Fits

Recently, a 26-year-old woman was admitted to 7A Military Hospital in District 5, Ho Chi Minh City for treatment for signs of poisoning, which occurred after she continuously inhaled N2O stored in about seven laughing gas containers over two days.

According to her family, after inhaling the N2O from the laughing gas, the patient experienced a tingling sensation, difficulty walking, and gradually worsening symptoms, including sphincter dysfunction. 

Despite these symptoms, the patient did not seek hospital treatment at first and instead bought and consumed over-the-counter medicines.

After 15 days, her condition worsened, leading the patient to finally seek medical evaluation at the hospital. 

It was revealed that the patient had been regularly inhaling N2O-filled balloons for approximately five years and consuming them up to three times a week, with five to seven balloons used each time.

Doctors at 7A Military Hospital stated that the patient’s diagnosis confirmed a cervical spinal cord injury, resulting in paralysis and an inability to walk.

Lately, the Poison Control Center at Bach Mai Hospital has also admitted a significant number of patients due to the recreational use of laughing gas.

One young man who had been using laughing gas regularly for two years was recently hospitalized with quadriplegia, experiencing severe damage to his spinal cord and nervous system. 

Doctors predict that the treatment for this patient may extend for several months, leading to various long-term effects and sequelae.

“The inherent nature of N2O resembles that of a narcotic, as its usage tends to escalate in pursuit of pleasurable effects,” said doctor Nguyen. 

“Notably, individuals who frequently use laughing gas are prone to developing an addiction and are more likely to seek out other synthetic drugs.”

Many individuals initially use laughing gas for recreation, assuming it to be harmless since they quickly return to their normal state after it wears off, according to doctor Kieu Manh Ha, head of the neurology department at 7A Military Hospital.

Unfortunately, they fail to anticipate the potential consequences that may arise later on.

New form to avoid authorities’ management

Despite authorities prohibiting the non-industrial use of N2O, there is still an active market where individuals sell N2O gas cylinders of various sizes. 

Buyers can easily siphon the gas off into balloons by attaching a valve to the cylinder, while sellers opt for this practice as a compact and convenient method which is less likely to be detected by authorities and enables easy delivery to the buyers' addresses.

Therefore, the Ministry of Health recently issued a dispatch to the health departments of provinces and cities, emphasizing the need to enhance the supervision and regulation of the production, trading, and usage of N2O, and take decisive actions against any misuse or improper practices.

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