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Melbourne Hospitals See Rise in Psychosis Cases Linked to Nitrous Oxide Use

From ABC Australia · (1h ago) English Critical tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Emergency doctors in Melbourne are observing a rise in patients using nitrous oxide who exhibit psychosis-like symptoms.
  • While the numbers are small, the reported impacts are significant, with 23 patients identified over four years with recent nitrous oxide use and mental health referrals.
  • The recreational use of nitrous oxide, often inhaled via balloons, carries risks including B12 deprivation leading to neurological damage and potential mental health episodes.

In Melbourne's western suburbs, a concerning trend is emerging within our hospitals. Emergency physicians are noting an increase in patients presenting with symptoms akin to psychosis, directly linked to their use of nitrous oxide. While the overall numbers may be modest, the severity of these cases warrants serious attention.

Our teams at Western Health have reviewed patient records, identifying 23 individuals over a four-year period who reported recent nitrous oxide use and were subsequently referred for mental health support. This retrospective analysis, though limited in scope, highlights a significant impact on individuals' mental well-being. The ease with which this substance, also known as laughing gas, is available for recreational purposes, often through readily accessible canisters, belies its dangerous potential.

We had a quick look at our registers and we thought there has been a trend that is going up every year.

— Soumitra DasWestern Health psychiatrist Soumitra Das discusses the observed increase in patients presenting with psychosis-like symptoms linked to nitrous oxide use.

While nitrous oxide has legitimate uses in food preparation and medical settings, its recreational inhalation, particularly in high volumes or without adequate oxygen, can lead to severe harm. We've seen tragic instances of accidental deaths linked to its use, including suffocation and drowning. Furthermore, prolonged abuse can result in B12 deficiency, causing irreversible neurological damage and triggering mental health crises like psychosis. This is not merely a recreational pursuit; it is a public health issue demanding greater awareness and intervention.

We had a quick look at our registers and we thought there has been a trend that is going up every year.

— Soumitra DasWestern Health psychiatrist Soumitra Das discusses the observed increase in patients presenting with psychosis-like symptoms linked to nitrous oxide use.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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