How long does nitrous oxcide stay in your system?

Answer 1

Nitrous oxide stays in your system only minutes after you stop inhaling it.

It is a very insoluble gas, which means it does not accumulate anywhere in your body. That is why it works so fast.

I work with nitrous on a daily basis as an anesthesiologist. We monitor the gases that patients breathe out, and can watch the levels of nitrous decrease to zero very quickly (about 1-2 minutes) after we turn the gas off.

(It is important to breathe 100% oxygen for a few minutes after turning nitrous off, because the nitrous in the blood floods the lungs and decreases the percent of oxygen that is breathed in. Breathing less than 21% oxygen is unhealthy and can lead to serious problems.)

Answer 2

I will agree with Pangolin's answer to a certain extent, but qualify it with the following information.

Nitrous oxide is a VERY volatile gas, which means it evaporates quickly. This is why it leaves your body so soon after the procedure. The thing is, it is also fat soluable. In a larger person, especially, you can see some effects of this property. The patient will show the signs of nitrous oxide sedation as soon as any other patient and the operator (doctor, anesthetist) will determine that this is the proper operating range (flow) for this patient. In a few minutes, though, the patient will complain that he'she no longer feels "high" from the nitrous. This is because the nitrous oxide has transferred from the blood to the body fat. The operator will then have to increase the percent of nitrous oxide to attain a satisfactory state of analgesia to offset the loss of gas to the fat tissues. When the operator turns off the nitrous, the patient will breathe it off very quickly, but this only applies to the N2O that is in the blood stream. For the next several HOURS (sometimes), the N2O will then leave the fatty tissues and return to the blood stream where it continues to leave the body by simply evaporating in the lungs where it is then breathed off. During this time, the patient can feel almost like they have had a concussion with a headache and mild confusion.

In a lean person, nitrous oxide leaves the body within a matter of a few minutes after it is discontinued. In a fat person, they regain "normal" mobility in about the same time, but the cloudy head and slow thought process may take a few hours to return to normal.

Answer 3

The lingering effect that Dr Sam talks of is correct. And of course the stronger the concentration, and the longer you've been gassed, then the longer the after-effects.
In dentistry where people are allowed to leave shortly after the treatment, it's important that they allow appropriate time for it to wear off before driving, or heavily dosed patients should have a driver or taxi.
A hands-on practical course is a good way to feel what patients go thru.

Answer 4

It depends on how much laughing gas you inhale. and its spelled
nitrous oxide ....

Answer 5

i looked all over the internet and in my bio book and only found out that if enough is inhaled then it can be deadly. also said that depending on how much inhailed
(spelled oxide)
hope you feel beter

Answer 6

I had a wisdom tooth pulled a couple of years ago, and I believe (not certain) that it stays in your system for at least a couple hours.

Answer 7

A very short time! 12 hours if you passed out from it!

Answer 8

Highly depends on the exposure time.

I hope this helps

http://www.cganet.com/N2O/factsht.asp

Answer 9

aprox. 10 min

Answer 10

Not long. It should take no longer than an hour.