What are nitrous oxide side effects? Dangers of gas on human body explored amid allegations against Kanye West's dentist

On August 7, 2024, dentist Thomas P. Connelly denied Milo Yiannopoulos' claims of providing rapper Kanye West with nitrous oxide for recreational use. This came after Yiannopoulos, Ye's former chief-of-staff, registered an affidavit that alleged the rapper was addicted to the substance after being introduced to it when he got his titanium grills fitted in January 2024.

Yiannopoulos filed a complaint with the Dental Board of California to get Connelly's license revoked, claiming the dentist charged Ye over $50K per month for nitrous oxide supply. The former chief-of-staff alleged that Ye's alleged addiction was causing worry among his Yeezy employees.

Connelly denied these claims in a statement to TMZ, adding the allegations were "not only factually incorrect but also intentionally misleading." He accused Yiannopoulos of trying to damage his reputation, adding he strictly followed all ethical and legal standards in his practice.

As per Cleveland Clinic, nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is a short-acting sedative used to alleviate anxiety during medical procedures. While the substance has no adverse side effects for first-time users, recreational abuse of the gas could lead to hypotension, fainting, hypoxia, and heart attack.

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What are the long-term effects of nitrous oxide?

WebMD describes nitrous oxide (N2O), aka laughing gas, as a colorless, sweet-smelling gas often breathed in through a nosepiece or mask. It is often administered in dental procedures for its calming effect, as it slows down the nervous system.

While it doesn't render the patient unconscious, it reduces anxiety, making the recipient feel calm, mildly euphoric, giggly, relaxed, and light-headed. The temporary effects of nitrous oxide may include nausea and headaches.

Nitrous oxide is not addictive, but its euphoric properties may lead a person to be psychologically dependent on it when used for recreational purposes. The euphoric high of nitrous gas is very short-lived so it is often used in regular intervals to maintain the high.

The drug, which is an inhalant, is colloquially referred to as "whippet." The gas is used in a 30:70 ratio with oxygen in medical practices. But in whippets, nitrous oxide is inhaled in its purest form.

An overuse of nitrous oxide can result in long-lasting health complications like nerve damage, asphyxiation, muscle spasms, numbness, tinnitus, weak immune system, anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, and birth defects. It can also affect your mental state, resulting in psychosis, depression, loss of reality, and memory loss.

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Yiannopoulos alleged Kanye West had a "growing dependence" on nitrous oxide

In his affidavit, Milo Yiannopoulos alleged Kanye West was highly dependent on nitrous oxide in his everyday life, often bringing it up in his meetings. He claimed the gas affected the rapper's cognitive abilities, rendering his communication "incomprehensible" and "contradictory."

In his affidavit, Yiannopoulos said he wanted to come forward with his claims due to his concern for the rapper's well-being and safety. He alleged a Yeezy employee saw West “self-administering the nitrous gas provided by Connelly.” He also believed there was a connection between Kanye West's bipolar diagnosis and the side effects of "prolonged nitrous gas abuse.”

He accused Thomas P. Connelly of taking advantage of Kanye West's "psychological vulnerabilities." He added the dentist allegedly left the rapper to "self-destructive consequences of dependence, showing indifference or worse to the prospect of permanent damage and brain or body."

Notably, in an April 2015 interview with Paper Magazine, Kanye West spoke about his life-altering nitrous gas experience at a dentist's office. He said the experience left him pondering about the purpose of life, giving him a new perspective.