TRAGIC!!! –
Aug. 1, 2025 – Caldwell said her sister Meg began using nitrous oxide recreationally in college. Eventually, her years-long use grew into a costly, dangerous addiction.
“She would spend $300, $400 at a smoke shop in a day,” said Caldwell.
She said her sister’s nitrous addiction left her incontinent and caused temporary paralysis in her legs.
“A doctor in the hospital said, ‘This is going to kill you. You’re going to die,’” said Caldwell. “Her absence is felt every day,” said Caldwell.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of deaths attributed to nitrous oxide poisoning rose by more than 100% over five years between 2019 and 2023.
“A lot of these patients are adults who are being seen in the emergency room after experiencing blackouts, unconsciousness,” said Dr. Gaylord Lopez, the Executive Director of the Georgia Poison Center.
He said chronic use of nitrous oxide robs the brain and heart of oxygen.
“You’re talking about heart conditions, blood clots, some even experienced temporary paralysis,” said Dr. Lopez.
In June, the FDA advised consumers not to inhale nitrous oxide products from any size canisters, tanks, or chargers.
“You really don’t know when you’ll stop breathing, when you’ll lose consciousness, when your body will stop functioning. It’s pretty scary,” said Kim Castro, an addiction specialist.
