How And Why Does Nitrous Oxide - (Laughing Gas) Make Us Laugh?

Explaining the riddle behind the ‘gaseous comedian’ laughing gas

We’ve all heard about the ‘magical’ gas Nitrous Oxide aka (Laughing gas) and we must have been wondering how it works. I suppose we all find it strange that a mere gas invokes laughter when inhaled.

So what’s really ‘funny’ about laughing gas? Let’s open Pandora’s box!

Nitrous Oxide which is also known as laughing gas acts on the Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors ( nAChrs ) in our body, which respond to Acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter). Nitrous Oxide hinders Acetylcholine which is responsible for activating the muscles, from acting on these receptors and therefore brings about an anaesthetic effect in the muscles.

Nitrous Oxide itself doesn’t make one laugh. What it does is to produce a relaxant effect and put a person in a ‘happy mood’, therefore eliciting laughter. Nitrous Oxide is usually administered to patients who are to undergo a painful process such as child birth or removal of a tooth.

Do you have any other useful information you would like to share with us about Nitrous Oxide gas? Feel free to use the comment box! 😀

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