Surge in reported instances of nitrous oxide overdose observed
In recent years, there has been a growing concern about the use of nitrous oxide as a party drug among young people and young adults in Germany. The Poison Information Centre North reported a significant increase in consultations on nitrous oxide poisoning in 2024, with 34 cases compared to 19 in the previous year.
This trend is not limited to North Germany alone. Inquiries to the poison control center in Baden-Württemberg about nitrous oxide poisoning have tripled from 6 in 2023 to 17 in 2024, and a similar trend is emerging in other parts of the country, with the number of inquiries almost doubling from 35 in 2023 to 66 in 2024.
The use of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is associated with high risks. Consumption of the gas can lead to dizziness, fainting, hallucinations, and permanent damage to the nervous system. In some cases, it has resulted in permanent damage such as paralysis of the arm and leg muscles.
The German government has taken notice of this issue and has introduced a bill to ban the purchase and possession of nitrous oxide for minors. In addition, political measures are planned to reduce the health burden on adolescents from the use of nitrous oxide as a party drug. In July 2025, a legislative proposal was passed to prohibit the acquisition and possession of nitrous oxide for children and adolescents.
The proposed law also aims to ban online trade and purchase of nitrous oxide from self-service machines. The colorful cartridges for nitrous oxide are currently offered in tobacco shops in Germany.
The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) has also pointed out the risk of accidents associated with nitrous oxide use. Some road traffic accidents involving nitrous oxide are related to driving cars under the influence of drugs, while others are related to filling balloons while driving.
In Frankfurt, a 23-year-old is said to have driven into a group of e-scooter riders under the influence of nitrous oxide at the beginning of July, resulting in two deaths. In the Netherlands, the number of road traffic accidents involving nitrous oxide increased by 80 percent between 2019 and 2021.
There are hardly any data on how widespread the consumption of nitrous oxide is in Germany. However, a study from the Netherlands in 2020 revealed that more than one in ten 18 to 24-year-olds had taken nitrous oxide in the past 12 months.
In an effort to raise awareness about the risks associated with nitrous oxide, there is a campaign initiated by the waste management department in Hamburg to warn about the risk of explosions in waste incineration plants due to improperly disposed gas cylinders.
As the use of nitrous oxide as a party drug continues to rise, it is important for individuals to be aware of the risks associated with its use and for governments to take action to reduce its availability to minors and to reduce the health burden on adolescents.
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