A HAGLEY doctor is calling for a clampdown on nitrous oxide abuse after seeing a steep rise in the number of people hospitalised after using it.
The substance – also known as ‘laughing gas’ – is used to produce whipped cream in cake-making but it is now being abused extensively as a recreational drug.
It was legal for a long time but the introduction of the Psychoactive Substances Act in May 2016 was aimed at preventing businesses from selling it if they knew it was being used for human consumption.
Dr David Nicholl, who works at a hospital in Birmingham, said this had done little to deter people and the problem was now worse than ever.
Users often pierce the small silver canisters – which can frequently be seen strewn near kerbs on roads – and release the gas into a balloon before inhaling it – a practice known as ‘ballooning’.
But it is dangerous and more and more people are falling victim to severe symptoms, including nerve damage, impaired memory and cognitive function, dizziness and vitamin B12 deficiency.
The neurologist said: “Something has happened in the last two years and – in particular – the past six months.
“Nitrous oxide has been around for ages but earlier in my career I would only be treating one patient every ten years for issues caused by it.
“Now I am seeing loads of cases each week.
“Some people are getting through two of the bigger canisters in a weekend and one person I had heard about was even ballooning behind the wheel of a car.”
Dr Nicholl wants more to be done to stop the sale of nitrous oxide for recreational human use.
And he said his fellow healthcare professionals and others should be aware of the symptoms of nitrous oxide abuse.
These include difficulty walking, tingling hands and feet, slurred speech and disorientation.
Dr Nicholl has created a TikTok video to warn people of the dangers.
@drdavidnicholl
And the neurologist is also urging people to sign a Parliamentary petition aimed at preventing the sale of Nitrous Oxide to anyone under the age of 21.
Visit petition.parliament.uk/petitions/622856 to sign.
