NEW YORK, August 7, 2025 – A study published in JAMA Network Open has revealed a steep climb in deaths tied to nitrous oxide poisoning across the United States over the past decade, although the rate of increase has slowed in recent years.
Between 2010 and 2023, there were 1,240 recorded deaths involving nitrous oxide poisoning among people aged 15 to 74. Annual deaths rose from 23 in 2010 to 156 in 2023, with the mortality rate increasing from 0.0100 to 0.0622 per 100,000 population. From 2010 to 2018, mortality grew by an average of 24.5 percent each year, before levelling off between 2019 and 2023.
The rise is thought to be linked to the growing recreational use of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas or whippets, which is easily obtained from retailers, gas stations and online. While widely used in medical and culinary settings, the gas can cause severe harm when misused, including neurological injury, psychiatric effects and death.
Researchers warn that public awareness of these risks remains limited, especially among younger users who may view the substance as harmless. They say the findings highlight the need for improved surveillance, targeted education and harm-reduction measures to address what they describe as an under-recognised and preventable cause of death.