A worrying trend has emerged in Ireland, with a significant increase in young people suffering from spinal cord damage linked to the abuse of nitrous oxide, commonly known as “laughing gas.” The issue has become so prevalent that it has prompted a new study, shedding light on the alarming consequences of this growing problem.
The research, published in the American Journal of Neuroradiology, was led by consultant neuroradiologist Seamus Looby from Dublin’s Beaumont Hospital. The study found that while no cases were recorded at the hospital between 2012 and 2020, a staggering 14 diagnoses were made from 2021 to the end of 2024, with the median age of patients being just 20 years old.
“The rise in cases of spinal cord damage since the pandemic is alarming,” Mr. Looby stated. The harm occurs when the drug interferes with the body’s ability to process vitamin B12, leading to a condition called subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord (SACD). Symptoms include numbness in the hands or feet and difficulty with balance and coordination.
Most of the patients in the study improved after treatment, but none fully recovered, and all were left with some lasting neurological damage. “Teenagers are inhaling laughing gas canisters as they consider it a bit of harmless fun,” Professor Looby said. “But what we’re seeing tells a different story.”
The research was the second-largest European case study of nitrous oxide-induced SACD. In the UK, possession of laughing gas with the intent of getting high was made illegal in November 2023, with repeat offenders facing up to two years in jail. Nitrous oxide is a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, and dealers who peddle the substance, nicknamed “hippy crack,” could face up to 14 years behind bars.
The study’s findings have prompted calls for greater awareness and education on the potential for permanent, damaging effects of nitrous oxide abuse. As the problem continues to escalate, healthcare professionals and community groups are urging young people to steer clear of this seemingly innocuous substance, which can have devastating consequences.
