NITROUS OXIDE
A dissociative gas used medically as an anesthetic and recreationally for brief euphoric and hallucinatory effects.
Nitrous oxide has been used in anesthesia for over 150 years, primarily as an adjunct to more potent anesthetics to reduce dosage and cardiorespiratory side effects. Recent clinical trials have explored its potential as a rapidly acting antidepressant in treatment-resistant major depression, with early promising results. However, its exact mechanisms of action remain incompletely understood. Recreational use has increased significantly, with numerous case reports documenting neurotoxicity including sensorimotor neuropathy and myelopathy from vitamin B12 inactivation. The evidence for antidepressant efficacy is still preliminary and limited to small trials. Environmental concerns regarding its potency as a greenhouse gas have also been raised in medical settings.