Health Canada has issued a statement urging consumers not to inhale nitrous oxide products for recreational purposes, and warning about the serious health risks of doing so as reports of instances are on the rise, and as authorities are cracking down on the production, distribution, and sale of these products to the public.
Commonly known by various street names, including “laughing gas,” or “whippets,” nitrous oxide can be found in some food products and tools including various “cream dispensers,” which Health Canada says is not meant to be inhaled.
Legitimate and safe usage of nitrous oxide in certain medical and dental procedures by an authorized health care professional can have positive associated effects including sedation and pain relief, the agency says.
Unsafe inhalation or “huffing” of the gas can have serious adverse effects, including loss of consciousness, birth defects, heart attack, stroke and in some cases, even death.
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The warning also says that repeated use can result …