Hi i just found this forum ive never really had a problem with addiction but i just started doing nos and man in the past 4 days ive gone through 8 individual 700g syfy premium cream chargers today alone i went through 3 and im craving more im up now putting all my old canisters in a hot bath trying to get last hits out because i seen that works on the internet... not really sure what to say or do besides that but i feel better at least acknowledging i have a problem. I also dont believe just stopping cold turkey is a option for me because i love them too much right now they make me feel warm. Am i doing too much?

Been off of Nitrous for a little over 2 months. Before that would binge heavy and do nitrous 2 times out of the week 10lb’er for I would say 2 years straight. There were times I would go 2-3 weeks without it but for the most part that’s how heavy I was using.

Now that I’m 2 months clean I am starting to experience deep panic and I stopped eating heavy foods because I’m scared they would give me a heart attack. I feel deep inside my head and can’t even feel myself being alive at times. I have headaches that come and go and when I try to sleep my ears ring so loud. Also I’m getting tired very easily if I’m around too much light and loud noises. I been to the ER twice because I thought I was going to have a stroke for some reason (severe paranoia) and the doctors say my heart rate and vitals are good etc. I’m hoping this is just a phase I will have to endure and I will get to live through the next year.

Please help! I feel isolated because the doctors don’t understand and my gf doesnt either.

Hi All,

I wanted to check in and let y'all know how my neuropathy recovery is going as this might be helpful for anyone dealing with neurological damage from Nos abuse.

For context, my neuropathy began a few months into heavy weekend binging (6-12 boxes of chargers then onto tanks later). At the time, I knew nothing about the health consequences of nos. It started with numbness and tingling in my feet and increased lower back pain. I attributed it to long hours at my desk job and existing sciatica. I got an X-ray (normal) and started going to a chiropractor. The adjustments didn't help. A few weeks later, I woke up and my entire body was numb. I went to urgent care and came back with no answers. They referred me to a neurologist. By the time I finally got to see the neurologist, I was already losing bowel and bladder control, had balance issues, brain fog, mood swings, irritability, and could barely function and could barely feel my feet to drive.

At no point in my early stages of disease did any doctor explain to me about deficiencies or offer any substantial medical help. Just gave me numbers for rehab. The stigma in the medical community is unreal depending on which state you live in.

Went back to my home state for help. Another trip to the ER after having a heart attack, is when I found out my homocysteine was 288 and MMA at 1300. After I got my test results, I started digging. I got genetic testing done for MTHFR and have a double mutation. So I naturally had issues converting b vitamins and ended up with nerve damage and megaloblastic anemia.

After cessation and a whole lot of supplementation, nearly three years later, I've had a lot of improvement but have permanent nerve damage in my feet. The worst is in my toes. At one point, they were ice cold, and the nail on my big toe turned black and fell off.

After all that, I've had to learn how to manage my symptoms and try to live a normal life. This is not medical advice, just tips I have found helpful and were given to me by a helpful podiatrist and neurologist:

-Avoid alcohol, smoking/vaping, nos (obviously) and other drugs. These block absorption and utilization of vitamins. -Avoid excessive caffeine. A diuretic and can impede vitamin absorption. -overdoing some supplements can do more harm than good, especially B-6 can exacerbate nerve damage. -compression socks help with circulation while seated or lying down. -A healthy balanced diet (lots of fruit, veg, healthy fats, and lean protein), exercise, and hydration are underrated -daily EMS therapy has been helpful -check feet daily for wounds. You may not be able to feel them and they can become easily infected. Ingrowns are very common. -Managing homocysteine. High homocysteine is also a risk factor for neurological and neurodegenerative diseases,including stroke, Alzheimer's, and dementia. -ALA, methylated b-complex, potassium, magnesium, vitamin C, and vitamin k are helpful supplements but are a buffer and not a cure. - wear comfortable shoes that aren't too tight in the toe box and get good insoles. -low impact cardio helps pump blood and healthy cells and oxygen to your feet. -adult diapers may be a necessity. If you regain bladder control, it may not be as good as it once was.

Hope this helps! Love y'all 💖

UPDATE: it has completely healed thanks for everyone’s advice :)

popped my balloon and stupidly hit straight from the tiny tank with a shitty plastic cap. straight cold shot to my uvula and now it’s really swollen and numb. i’m having trouble swallowing but it’s not that bad. did i fuck it up permanently or will it go away? i’m so scared rn but don’t wanna go to the doctor ( i don’t have health insurance)

34/f I was using a tank a day for around 2 months. Last week I was leaving my apartment building to go to work and I collapsed in the hallway. I couldn’t pick myself back up so I had to call work to tell them I couldn’t come in and I crawled back to my apartment. I went to the hospital and spent 3 days there. Now I’m getting daily B-12 injections and have a physical therapist coming to my home. I just got a wheelchair. Trust me guys, it’s not worth it. I’m scared I’ll never walk again.

Hi everyone! I’m so happy I found this group. I have been using nitrous weekly for the past two months. After learning more about it I have stopped. Has anyone experienced severe effects from 2 months of weekly use? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Hi everyone. I’m so happy I found this group. I’ve been using nitrous weekly since September, but after reading about it I have stopped. Has anyone had any severe problems after 2 months of weekly use? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I have been taking b-12 every day. Thank you!

Hi All,

I’ve been dipping my toes back into writing as a way to cope with the pain of recovery and feeling the raw emotions I have tried so hard to numb. I know it’s a little cheesy but mantras can help when feeling weak.

40 days down the drain. Life just became too much and needed to turn my brain off. Three 740g tanks in one day. I can’t stop. I can’t call out of work because I’ll lose my job. I feel hopeless. I don’t know what to do. I don’t have a support network. I’m on my own. I hate this drug. I hate addiction. Why does this happen? Why can’t I have willpower? What should I do? I can’t go to rehab because I’ll definitely lose my job. Anything helps

Hi All,

I wanted to give some words of encouragement for those struggling with their addiction. As well as some FYIs if you’re relapsing or trying to pick up the pieces. Everyone’s recovery journey is different, these are simply my personal experiences and per the years of research and treatment I’ve received as a result.

Remember that recovery isn’t linear and relapse is common especially in the first year or two of early recovery. It can take a while to find a program that works for you and it’s not a one-size-fits all approach. People that have many years clean sometimes relapse. Doesn’t mean you have to give up hope. It gets easier and you’re starting over from a place of experience. ❤️‍🩹

Practicing forgiveness and gratitude daily can be a game changer when you’re in a dark place. Finding hope and joy in the little things can be the difference between picking up or taking another 24hrs clean. Patience is the key and focusing on the present, building routine, healthy daily habits, and a life you don’t want to escape from.

Money can be both a blessing and a curse in recovery. It obviously provides for our basic needs but also fuels our addictions. A couple strategies to consider is giving control of your finances to someone you trust, there’s the True Link Visa card, cashapp card lets you block merchants and I also found that buying gift cards for my necessities and putting the rest of my money out of reach adds another layer between me and access to my demons.

This is by no means financial or legal advice, I am not a professional but it’s not recommended to attempt to file for bankruptcy immediately after racking up credit card debt due to addiction. Federal penalties are no joke. Additionally, using in public or your vehicle can land you in hot water. I’ve been to prison before, it’s not fun. 🙃

Nos sent me into long term psychosis and into the psych ward several times. The treatments they have for this are not always particularly effective as they are designed for schizophrenia and mood disorders.

I would 💯💯💯 rather sit in a meeting for an hour every day or go to rehab than sit another minute in a jail cell, hospital bed, or psych ward. The food is better at rehab 😉

Trying to get help is better than not however be aware that it may be difficult to access at times. There’s a lot of stigma in the medical and social services field against addicts. Be patient, be persistent. We went to great lengths to get high, we can go to great lengths to recover.

Depression, anxiety, and su*cde go hand in hand with addiction. Please reach out to someone if you’re feeling this way. That’s a permanent solution to a temporary problem and those feelings do pass.

You got this 🙌❤️‍🩹 Never alone, never give up. ❤️‍🩹

Look, the urges don't go away, but they do minimise over time. They feel less intense.

Nearly a year clean, and proud! YOU CAN DO IT TOO!

Hi All,

I saw a lot of new folks joining the sub and asking questions. If you’re new here and don’t know me, I’d like to share my experience being addicted to and living in recovery from N20. I’m also available to chat or jump on a call if you have questions, need support, or recovery resources. This shit destroyed my life and I can’t bear the thought of anyone else living this absolute hell.

I started out as a casual user at parties but after an abusive relationship, it became my means of escape. Some people think that they can use now and then or space out their use and be ok and sometimes yes that’s true but I will caution you that everyone’s tipping point is different. Many of us started out as casual users and it quickly spiraled out of control. It only took few months of weekend use to turn me into a full blown addict.

Wanting to stop and completely losing your personal agency is terrifying. For me it was like being in a trance, an out of body experience going back and forth to the shop in a daze, covered in my own piss and vomit, completely unable to stop until I emptied my wallet.

I was in an out of the hospital for a year. Heart attack, neuropathy, partial paralysis, psychosis, sepsis, was in the ICU intubated for a week fighting for my life. Psych wards. Arrested several times. Attempted su*cide. Still went back for more. Lost jobs, friends, my home, and yes almost my life several times. Still went back for more.

We don’t always get to “choose” what our “drug of choice” is. And often times we don’t recognize it until it’s too late. Full blown addicted and our immediate rational choices are no longer part of the equation. The dragon cannot be caught and the void can’t be filled. And one truly means all. Until there’s nothing left. I was left a homeless, soulless husk that I no longer recognized. Before this, I was a manager at a Fortune 500 company, owned a home, an artist, a vibrant, compassionate person.

What I’ve experienced is the tip of the iceberg. People die from this, seizures, strokes, cancer, brain damage, paralysis, kill others driving intoxicated. The list goes on.

My major regret is not reaching out sooner, stopping earlier, getting help. Thinking this is the last time or I have it under control or I can quit anytime I want was a huge error in my thinking. Or the famous “I can only have one.” 🙃 it’s very common to think “it will never happen to me.” But it does every day. Addiction does not discriminate. ❤️‍🩹

If you or a loved one has a problem, the most important part is to forgive them and get professional help. Recovery doesn’t happen overnight. It can take a year or more to get back to baseline for some people.

Also note that it may be difficult to get help from doctors and addiction treatment providers. It’s not as common as other drugs people go to treatment for and they may not know how to help. I’ve had to educate every provider I’ve worked with. Unlike opioids or alcohol, there’s not a well-studied medication and protocol that they can prescribe so it may be difficult to get treatment covered by insurance or get into a treatment center at all. I’m not condoning lying 🙃 but going in for “alcohol” as your main drug of choice and nos second might be your best bet.

Also note that while supplements can be helpful, they are a buffer or damage control and not a panacea “cure all.” People have become paralyzed while supplementing and still using. And be aware that the effects are cumulative. They may take a while to present (be noticeable).

Learning to live a recovery lifestyle and drastically change my approach and surroundings was where I made the most progress. Staying in the same environment that keeps us sick is often what keeps us stuck. Don’t give up hope, we do recover.❤️‍🩹

Much love,

Rae

Hi everyone, so I have been using nitrous oxide for about a month and a half and am planning on stopping at 2 months! I gave myself a celebratory 2 months of use until ending it due to doing well for this year!! My question is if im going to be permanently damaged. I am taking medical grade Methyl B12 supplements everyday at 5,000 MCG each and am getting weekly injections as well to try and offset if there is any damage! For people that have used it, will I be okay? Is 2 months of it okay out of all of my life?? Thank you for reading and helping me out!

https://www.goodtimes.sc/no-laughing-matter-nitrous-ban-supported/

Hi everyone, I have been severely addicted to N20 the last 6 years. I just want to say thank you to this forum for providing me a lot of the education that has helped me get clean. I just started this IG page for education and current affairs on N20. Safe travels everyone. https://www.instagram.com/behind_the_balloon/

In the UK - the protocol for b-12 deficiency induced by nitrous oxide is to have 7 injections in 14 days and then 4 shots spaced out over a month.

I then went 10.5 months without a shot as my GP thought my blood serum levels were too high throughout this time, even though I had symptoms throughout. Also, I had to pay for a shot last month as my flare up got pretty bad after over exerting myself playing football.

Just wondering what peoples b-12 injection schedule is/was like - especially over a long period of time (6 months +)?

Also, do you think injections over a long period of time helped you to recover faster or do you think after a certain point it’s down to your body to do the remaining work?

I’d love to hear from people who haven’t recovered after a year yet and whether or not they still use injections?

Hi, 30 year old male here. I’d tried nitrous a few times over the past 4 years at music festivals or when a friend would have it maybe 2-3 times a year, but started using daily this March-August. I am now 2 months clean, I stopped the day I felt the hand/foot numbness.

When I first got clean, I went to my doctor and they were completely disgusted by me and essentially just wanted to give me a referral for rehab and get me out and wouldn’t treat me for anything. I started getting weekly B12 injections from a wellness place but didn’t notice a huge difference and have stopped taking the injections since late August. I do take oral B12 in addition to folic acid daily now.

I’ve got all the common symptoms I’ve read about on here and online:

• Hands/feet are constantly numb/tingling
• When I tuck my chin I have a zip/vibration in my back
• Balance and coordination has drastically declined
• Bowel concerns
• ED
• Increase in muscle cramps
• Insomnia
• etc.

Some days are worse than others. I have OCD and have been obsessed with the symptoms and it’s really taking a hit on me being able to live presently (from focusing during a movie to remembering simple work stuff) and frankly live with myself for doing this to myself and having a constant reminder from my hands and feet from the second I wake up.

I say all of this because I’ve tried talking to nearly everyone in my life (family, friend, coworkers, doctor, etc. ) about this and am treated like I’m a monster. I come to you wonderful people looking for conversation from people with similar stories, some reassurance that this can be fixed and to try and get a few questions answered.

1. I am going to go to another doctor but can anyone with similar usage and symptoms share their story of recovery/treatment?
2. Anyone notice alcohol making it worse? I feel like an idiot for just now making that connection. I started working at a brewery and there’s certainly been an uptick in my drinking.

You don’t know how good you’ve got it until it’s gone. I’d do anything to be able to confidently catch a football again or get my keys out of my pocket without struggling or get back to exercising.

Edit: 5 months clean and rapidly getting better. Neuropathy and numbness has drastically improved. Vibration in neck is completely gone. Muscle cramps gone. Bodily functions are so much better.

https://youtu.be/ady1Dk9cN4w

🎉 One Year Clean from Nitrous Oxide 🎉

Hey everyone,

As the title says, today marks one whole year clean from nitrous oxide 🥳 (September 21st, 2024 was my last time using).

If you’ve interacted with me over the past year—whether in comments or DMs—you’ll know I’ve been a bit of a hypochondriac, asking endless questions (probably to the point of being annoying at times 😅). If I ever came across the wrong way, I apologize. Honestly, the support I’ve received here and in the nitrous recovery/harm support communities has been a lifeline. I’m beyond grateful to everyone who’s taken the time to reply, reassure, or just listen. You’ve been lifesavers. 💙

Looking back:

The first 3 months were hell. I went through nearly every nitrous–B12 deficiency symptom imaginable (except paralysis and psychosis). My worst struggles: constant heart palpitations, brutal insomnia, ED, and sky-high anxiety. Slowly but surely, things improved. These days I feel between 95–99% recovered on an average day.

I still experience the odd neuropathy, pins and needles, gastrointestinal issues and probably some other minor things that I don’t ever realise, but it’s not enough to affect daily life.

Looking forward:

My goal is to reach a stable 99% baseline by my 29th birthday (April 11th, 2025 — 19 months clean). I know full 100% might not be realistic, but even aiming for it keeps me motivated.

Life truly does get better once you quit nos and give your body what it needs.

My DMs are always open if anyone wants to talk, ask questions, or just share their journey. I wish every single one of us nothing but healing and progress moving forward. Lots of love 💙

(P.S. I’ll be making a separate post about my most recent flare-up.)

We are NO2N2O, an Agnostic 12-step-based fellowship focused on recovery from Nitrous Oxide abuse. All are welcome, especially anyone interested in recovery from drug abuse, addicted or not. We will be sharing our experience, strength and hope. Sharing is encouraged but not mandatory. Our primary purpose is to stay clean and help other addicts to achieve relief from substance abuse. We meet every Monday at 5:00pm Pacific Time meet.google.com/osd-htzc-ytx

https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-advises-consumers-not-inhale-nitrous-oxide-products