hey there! welcome to the new episode of Curiosity! A series in which we will answer some of the questions that makes us all curious.

Whenever you visit your dentist, you might have heard your dentist saying "Relax, Take a long and deep breath and count to 100". This is what they tell you to relax you mentally and physically before performing any complex dental producers. But you are still very nervous and freaked out. Then , the dentist informs you that you will be inhaling some sort of gas which they call "The Laughing Gas". But any kind of dental procedure is not a joke and it's certainly not a matter of laughing. So, why would they inhale you "The Laughing gas"? Have you ever wondered what actually this laughing gas is? and why is it even called laughing gas? This is what we are gonna discuss today. Let's start.

What is Laughing Gas?

More Commonly N2O or Nitrous Oxide is known as Laughing Gas. Dintirogen monoxide is it's Scientific name. It's simply a colourless gas that doesn't have any irritating effects and you can simply breath in. The most common use is seen in most of the dental procedures. This gas has got slightly slightly metallic taste and smell and non-flammable properties. All these properties are at room temperature but at elevated temperature, This gas works as a powerful oxidiser, which is used in rockets and engines to increase output.

Fig: Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) (Credits)

This is mainly used in medical field due to its high anaesthetic effect. Also, this drug also gives the sense of Euphoria and and sometimes hallucinations too. But how does it make you laugh? Well to answer this, we must first look at, how this gas works.

Enough with the Intro, How does This Gas work?

Well, N2O alone or Nitrous Oxide alone is not called as laughing gas. The Fact is Nitrous oxide can only be used for short amount of time. This is because the pure Nitrous oxide lacks the enough oxygen. This low level of oxygen can lead to unconsciousness and sometimes even death.

So to Fix this, Pure Nitrous Oxide or N2O is Mixed with Oxygen , which is called as "Laughing Gas". At least 30% oxygen is mixed. The concentration can vary according to different medical practices. Also, according to the concentration and time taken to administer the Laughing gas shows different levels of sedations.

Firstly,Tingling Sensations mainly in arms and legs.
Followed by sensation of warmth.
After some time or during heavy sedation , it causes Euphoria or also Floating Sensation. Euphoria is the feeling of well-being.
during very heavy sedation, It becomes difficult to keep the eyes open.

Still how this drug, work is not completely known. But In General, Nitrous Oxide Works By three ways.

Analgesic OR Pain Killing Effect

Nitrous Oxide Facilitates the interaction between norandrengenic and opoid system which in-turn reduces the pain. It also causes the release of opoids but still the complete mechanism is not known.

Anti-Anxiety Effect

Many Studies Indicates that, Nitrous Oxide increases the activity of GABA neurotransmitter which in-turn causes anti-anxiety effects. GABA is the principle inhibitory neurotransmitter.

Euphoria Effect

Nitrous Oxide cause the release of Dopamine , which in turn activates mesolimbic reward pathway in the brain and cause Euphoria. This is what contributes to the "Laughing" part of "Laughing Gas".

Fig: Feeling of Euphoria (Credits)

Does It Really make you Laugh?

The Primary Effect of Nitrous Oxide is to make you feel calm and relax you. Since, it is mostly used in the dental practices , it used to make you relax and less aware of any pain or fear or even anxiety that you may experience during an on going dental procedure.

Well, sound like fun, isn't it?

Nitrous Oxide kills pain, gives you a very pleasant and pleasurable feeling. Just 2-3 Minutes after inhaling the gas the Euphoric Feeling Kicks in throughout the whole body. It's hard to explain what it feels like, but it can be said as "Happily Drunk" Feeling. People sometimes see hallucinations too. The Light headed feeling, calmness , relaxing of the body and Euphoria Through out the body combined often makes people "Giggle". Hence, The name "Laughing Gas" was given to Nitrous Oxide.

So, all the Euphoric effects combined does make a person giggle or sometimes even laugh.