Does Nitrous Oxide Cause Schizophrenia? [2025 Update]

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Recreational nitrous oxide use can cause a range of mental health conditions. One of the severe effects of nitrous oxide misuse is schizophrenia-like symptoms. Similar to people experiencing schizophrenia, people who use nitrous oxide (N2O) may see, hear, and believe things that are not real. They may also act in strange and inappropriate ways and feel paranoid. These troubling symptoms may not completely go away, especially if the person avoids treatment or continues to use nitrous oxide.

In this article, we explore what nitrous oxide-induced schizophrenia is and why N2O can trigger these symptoms. We also discuss the risk factors for and medical research about N2O triggering schizophrenia-like effects. Finally, we describe some of the legal options available for people who have suffered from schizophrenia or psychosis because of nitrous oxide misuse.

About the Nitrous Oxide-Induced Schizophrenia

What Is Nitrous Oxide-Induced Schizophrenia?

Nitrous oxide-induced schizophrenia refers to the hallucinations, paranoid delusions, and symptoms of psychosis that someone may experience because of recreational nitrous oxide use. These symptoms are similar to those of someone who is battling schizophrenia. Although huffing nitrous oxide does not cause true schizophrenia, people who use the drug regularly can develop symptoms of the disease and psychosis.

The sooner someone gets treatment and stops using nitrous oxide recreationally, the greater chance they have of recovering from nitrous oxide-induced schizophrenia. However, if the brain damage caused by nitrous oxide continues, the person’s symptoms may worsen or become permanent.

How Can Nitrous Oxide Cause Schizophrenia?

One of the serious side effects of nitrous oxide is that it can cause schizophrenia-like symptoms. This is because huffing the gas changes important processes in the brain. These changes include making too much dopamine, stopping NMDA receptors from working correctly, and depleting vitamin B12 reserves.

NMDA Receptor Inhibition and Dissociative Effects

Scientists are still researching to understand why nitrous oxide has a dissociative effect on the brain and body. However, they believe it is because nitrous oxide (like ketamine and the PCP in angel dust) prevents your body from activating a receptor called NMDA. This receptor takes in glutamate, which helps your brain function properly.

Your neurons need this NMDA receptor to be activated (switched on) to send particular signals in the brain. If these channels are not working as they should, you may feel disconnected from your body, hear sounds that are not really happening, or experience delusional thinking. These are all symptoms that mimic schizophrenia.

Dopamine Dysregulation and Psychotic Symptoms

Another way that nitrous oxide can lead to schizophrenia-like symptoms is how it increases the amount of dopamine your body produces. Dopamine is the chemical that makes you feel good. However, having too much dopamine in your system can make you feel euphoric, paranoid, delusional, and dissociated with your body and the world around you. Nitrous oxide also makes it harder for your body to process dopamine, which means the dopamine stays in your system for longer than it should. Excessive amounts of dopamine are common among people with schizophrenia.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Brain Damage

Nitrous oxide can also cause schizophrenia-like symptoms because it can prevent your body from using vitamin B-12. This essential vitamin is found in meat and animal products. Your body uses Vitamin B-12 to make sure the signals sent by neurons and nerve cells go to the correct places. Your body also uses it to break down other chemicals in the body. Without vitamin B-12, your neurons and nerves can start to break down and malfunction. This can lead to spinal cord damage, brain injuries, and psychiatric symptoms. Many people who have used nitrous oxide have experienced psychotic episodes, which include hallucinations, irrational thoughts and behaviors, and paranoia. These episodes are often the result of the body not being able to process B-12.

Research Linking Nitrous Oxide Use and Schizophrenia

Studies have not shown that nitrous oxide use will directly cause schizophrenia. However, many case reports have connected nitrous oxide misuse with psychosis symptoms that mirror those present in people with schizophrenia. Often, these symptoms may appear even if the patient is young and healthy and has not had psychiatric issues in the past. Sometimes, people experiencing these symptoms get better with treatment; however, sometimes the schizophrenia-like symptoms last a very long time or become permanent.

Scientific Study: Sheldon et al. (2020) – The “Diagnostic Pentad” and Psychiatric Complications

One woman developed five concerning symptoms a couple of weeks after she inhaled six boxes of nitrous oxide, which each contained 24 canisters (bulbs). She believed people were watching her at all times, so she started showering with her clothes on. She also reported that frightening voices were telling her things, like to remove her fingernails and try to fly.

After going to the emergency room, she was diagnosed with drug-induced psychosis and was given rounds of vitamin B-12 treatments and various antipsychotic medications over the course of several years. Although her symptoms improved, she did not return to the way she felt prior to using nitrous.

Scientific Study: Raaj et al. (2024) – Psychosis After 75–100 Cartridges a Day

Another young man experienced what seemed to mimic paranoid schizophrenia after he started using nitrous oxide instead of marijuana. He was 22 years old and healthy, and he did not struggle with mental health disturbances before this. He inhaled about 75 to 100 nitrous oxide cartridges every day or so, and within about six months, he went to the emergency room because of delusions, hallucinations, erratic behavior, and other neurological symptoms.

The young man believed he was constantly being watched by the police, heard and responded to voices that were not real, and believed that the police had put a surveillance chip in his arm. He had to be hospitalized for over a month and was also treated with antipsychotic drugs after being released.

Scientific Study: Sheldon et al. (2020) – Neuropsychiatry of Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide can have powerful effects on someone’s brain and nerves, and the global rates of nitrous oxide misuse are rising. In The Neuropsychiatry of Nitrous Oxide, researchers looked at 13 case reports where patients experienced troubling changes in how they felt, thought, and acted after using nitrous oxide.

According to the researchers, the symptoms experienced by the patients included delusions, cognitive impairment (trouble thinking clearly or organizing one’s thoughts), hallucinations, and “bizarre or inappropriate” behavior. The authors noted that, for some patients, the psychological effects of their nitrous oxide use may become irreversible, even after treatment.

Who Is Most at Risk for Schizophrenia from Nitrous Oxide Use?

Potentially, anyone who misuses nitrous oxide may experience hallucinations, disorganized behaviors, paranoia, and other schizophrenia-like symptoms. However, case reports show that some populations may be more at risk than others.

These populations include people who are young and use nitrous oxide frequently, have a history of psychosis or schizophrenia, or have a vitamin B-12 deficiency. Additionally, when people use large quantities of nitrous, experience overdoses or poisoning, or use the drug for long periods of time, they may be more likely to experience psychiatric symptoms.

Age and Frequency of Use

Researchers have found that many people who experienced schizophrenia symptoms after misusing N2O were in the adolescent or young adult range. Additionally, people who used laughing gas frequently (e.g., every day or several times a week) were more likely to have psychiatric problems because of it. High doses of N2O were also associated with a higher chance of someone experiencing hallucinations, paranoid delusions, and other psychotic symptoms.

Genetic or Psychiatric Vulnerabilities

People who have a history of mental health challenges may also be more sensitive to the psychiatric effects of nitrous oxide. People who struggle with depression, anxiety, self-harm, suicidal thoughts or behaviors, and drug addiction may be more vulnerable to the negative effects of nitrous oxide abuse.

Additionally, nitrous oxide can interact with psychiatric medications and make them work poorly or have unwanted effects on your behavior or thinking. For people in this group, misusing nitrous oxide may result in a higher chance of severe or long-lasting schizophrenia or psychosis symptoms.

Nutritional and Metabolic Factors

Vitamin B-12 is an essential vitamin, and it is naturally found in animal products. Vitamin B-12 helps your brain and nerves work correctly; however, nitrous oxide can stop your body from getting enough of it. People who already have trouble processing vitamin B-12 or who do not get enough B-12 in their diet may be more likely to feel the neurological impacts of nitrous oxide.

Warning Signs of Nitrous Oxide-Induced Psychosis

Here are some of the signals that nitrous oxide-induced schizophrenia or psychosis may be occurring:

• Paranoid thoughts or behavior
• Seeing things that other people do not
• Hearing voices or sounds that other people do not hear
• Feeling like something is touching you when it is not
• Illogical beliefs or believing things that are not based on real events
• Feeling like you are invincible or have superpowers
• Withdrawing from people, places, or activities that you used to enjoy
• Believing that you are being watched or controlled

Some of these symptoms may last for a brief period of time while you are under the influence of laughing gas. However, they may continue even if the high goes away. The symptoms may get worse over time, especially if you keep using nitrous oxide. Being seen by a doctor and telling them about your nitrous oxide use can help you improve your chances of a full recovery.

Can Nitrous Oxide Cause Permanent Schizophrenia?

Most people who experience nitrous oxide-induced psychosis recover with treatment if they stop using the drug. However, other people may go on to be diagnosed with a psychiatric condition, like schizophrenia, because the symptoms last longer than one month. Researchers also caution that about a quarter of people who have substance-induced psychosis may be diagnosed with schizophrenia. This means that 25% of people who experience psychosis because of drug use may develop long-term schizophrenia. However, more research is needed to understand the rates among people who huff nitrous oxide.

Legal Options for Victims of Nitrous Oxide Misuse

If people experienced psychiatric or neurological harm after misusing nitrous oxide, they may be entitled to compensation through a lawsuit. Many people are filing lawsuits against these companies because of how the brands advertised and sold their whipped cream chargers. They believe the companies should have been clearer about the serious risks of huffing laughing gas recreationally.

Who Qualifies to File a Nitrous Oxide Lawsuit?

King Law is accepting claims for people who were injured by nitrous oxide misuse. The injuries that our law firm is investigating include the following:

• Blood clots
• Frostbite and cold burns
• Bladder or bowel injuries
• Asphyxiation (not being able to breathe)
• Passing out or seizures
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness
• Paralysis (not being able to move parts of your body)
• Heart or lung problems
• Psychological challenges (like hallucinations, manic episodes, depression, paranoia, or psychosis)
• Death

These injuries can have lifelong or life-ending consequences. Our firm has the resources to help you discover your legal rights and fight for justice to the full extent of the law.

Contact a Nitrous Oxide Attorney Today

If you were harmed by nitrous oxide misuse, you may have a claim against the companies that made or sold the N2O product you used. Our personal injury law firm can help you develop a strong case to get you the compensation you and your family deserve. Reach out today by calling (585) 496-2648 to talk to our intake specialists. We can ask you a few questions about what happened and schedule a free consultation. We can help you understand if you have grounds to file a nitrous oxide lawsuit.

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