Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Recording Brain Electromagnetic Activity During the Administration of the Gaseous Anesthetic Agents Xenon and Nitrous Oxide in Healthy Volunteers
Published on: January 13, 2018
Nitrous oxide, an opioid addictive agent. Review of the evidence
Abstract:
Pharmacologic evidence that nitrous oxide is addictive through direct interaction with the endogenous opioid system includes the possibility that it is a partial agonist and acts at the mu, kappa, and sigma opioid receptors. The medical and psychiatric complications of its abuse are discussed with special reference to the 32 cases of myeloneuropathy so far reported; other dangers are also mentioned. Notwithstanding the extremely low incidence of reported cases of nitrous oxide addiction compared with all other addictive substances, greater controls should be placed on its commercial availability to at least maintain its low level of abuse.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Opioid Receptors: Overview
Analgesia and Pain Management
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview

