What is nitrous oxide?
• Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) is a gas that has been safely used as a mild anesthetic in combination with oxygen for over a century. • It is classified as a “dissociative anaesthetic.” • Nitrous is legally available for over-the-counter sale, although in many states it is illegal to sell nitrous to a minor. Some states also have laws against inhaling nitrous for intoxication purposes. • Nitrous is most commonly sold in small canisters for use in making whipped cream (“whippits”), although it can also be purchased in large tanks. HOW IS NITROUS USED? • Nitrous is always inhaled. • Users either inhale the gas directly from a tank or else dispense it first into balloons. WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS? • A lungful of nitrous oxide results in the temporary loss of motor control and a “dissociative” psychological effect, where sensations and perceptions become disconnected. • Users report a dreamy mental state, and may experience mild audio and visual hallucinations.
Chemical Properties A nitrous oxide molecule is made up of 2 atoms of nitrogen and 1 atom of oxygen. By weight it is 36% oxygen (air is only 23.6% oxygen). At 70° F it takes 760 PSI of vapour pressure to hold nitrous in liquid form. The critical temperature is 97.7° F; at this temp the vapour pressure can no longer hold the nitrous in liquid form. At this point the nitrous turns gaseous and will be at 1069 PSI. As temperature rises further, so will pressure, but it will remain in gaseous form. If you intend to siphon liquid nitrous, it is important to keep the temperature below 97.7°. When liquid nitrous is released, it will go from 760 PSI to 14.7 PSI (normal atmospheric pressure). It will then begin to boil and rapidly expand; the pressure drop will cause the temperature to decrease. Nitrous boils at 129.1°F below zero.
