Concertgoers frequently encounter the issue of nitrous oxide misuse...
Warning: Nitrous Oxide Use at Concerts Pose Significant Risks
A concertgoer at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, who requested anonymity for fear of job reprisal, used nitrous oxide-filled balloons before a performance by The String Cheese Incident in mid-July. The use of such balloons, while seen as a harmless party trick by some, can have severe and potentially fatal consequences.
Nitrous oxide, or N₂O, induces a short, intense high with dizziness, euphoria, and sensory distortions. Users at music festivals often inhale repeatedly from balloons, but because N₂O displaces oxygen in the lungs, users can suffocate if they lose consciousness, especially when using masks or closely inhaling pure gas without adequate oxygen[1].
The acute effects of nitrous oxide can be fatal, and repeated use can lead to severe and lasting health problems. These include asphyxiation and suffocation due to oxygen displacement, neurological damage such as numbness, paralysis, psychiatric disturbances, and vitamin B12 deficiency from repeated use, serious physical health issues like abnormal blood counts, blood clots, impaired bowel and bladder function, palpitations, trouble walking, and long-lasting or irreversible damage[3].
In addition, the use of nitrous oxide balloons can increase the risk of vomiting and inhalation of vomit, especially when combined with alcohol or opioids, which can be lethal[1]. Legal restrictions exist due to these harms; for example, selling nitrous oxide for recreational use is illegal in California, and bans or raids occur around concert events linked to nitrous oxide sales[3].
It's important to note that the specific type of nitrous oxide balloons used, and the context of the concert beyond it being at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, were not provided in the information available. However, it's crucial to remember that the use of nitrous oxide balloons is not a common occurrence at concerts and should be avoided for the sake of personal safety and the safety of others.
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[1] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). What is the scope of inhalant use in the United States? Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/inhalants/what-scope-inhalant-use-in-united-states
[3] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). What are the long-term effects of inhalant use? Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/inhalants/what-are-long-term-effects-inhalant-use
Mental health is a critical aspect to consider, as the use of nitrous oxide can lead to psychiatric disturbances and neurological damage. Furthermore, promoting health-and-wellness involves understanding the potential hazards of substances like nitrous oxide, which have been shown to have severe and lasting health impacts, including asphyxiation, numbness, paralysis, and vitamin B12 deficiency.
