MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, MALANG – The use of Whip-Pink, dinitrogen oxide (N₂O), gas outside of its medical and culinary purposes poses serious health risks that should not be taken lightly.
In the medical field, this gas is actually part of anesthetic practice and its use is strictly regulated. Recently, however, it has been misused to obtain a brief sensation of euphoria.
Unsupervised Usage of N₂O
Without medical supervision, N₂O could disrupt the oxygen exchange process in the lungs. This condition can lead to hypoxia, a lack of oxygen in the body. This condition may result in respiratory failure and even sudden death.
“The gas used to make whipped cream is essentially N₂O. It is also known in the medical world as laughing gas. But its effects are far more complex than simply causing laughter. N₂O triggers the release of endorphins in the body. Endorphins is a hormone whose effects resemble morphine. This creates feelings of comfort, relaxation, and mild euphoria, often making users feel safe. In reality, this sensation masks dangerous physiological risks to the respiratory system,” said dr. Shonif Akbar, a lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, Muhammadiyah University of Malang, as quoted in a press release on Tuesday (10/02).
The anesthesiologist and intensive care specialist at UMM Hospital explained that in medical practice, N₂O is never used freely or on its own. It is always combined with oxygen and other anesthetic agents. The operation is also done within measured doses to reduce side effects and ensure patient safety. Its function is as an analgesic to relieve pain and as an anxiolytic to produce a calming effect—not as a recreational substance.
Its use is carried out exclusively in operating rooms with strict monitoring of respiratory function, oxygen levels, and blood circulation. He emphasized that serious problems arise when N₂O is inhaled at 100 percent concentration without oxygen and without medical supervision.
Short-term Risks
“N₂O diffuses easily and rapidly fills empty spaces, such as in the lungs. When someone uses N₂O and then stops, the gas already in the body quickly diffuses outward and accumulates in the lungs. As a result, oxygen fails to enter the bloodstream because the lungs are filled with N₂O. When oxygen exchange is disrupted, blood oxygen levels drop drastically, or desaturation occurs. Within minutes, this condition can lead to loss of consciousness, respiratory failure, and even cardiac arrest, especially in individuals with undiagnosed heart conditions,” he explained.
This phenomenon also illustrates how health information is often reduced or distorted when it enters public discourse and social media. Although N₂O is not widely circulated among the general public, it remains prone to misuse when perceived as a safe and legal product without adequate scientific understanding. The absence of strong risk narratives makes the practice appear harmless, even though its consequences can be fatal.
This situation reveals a significant gap in public health education, particularly regarding medical substances whose use is highly specific.
Long-term Risks
“Beyond short-term risks, the misuse of N₂O also has long-term health consequences. Repeated exposure can disrupt vitamin B12 metabolism, which plays a crucial role in nerve function. As a result, users may experience neurological disorders such as nerve pain, muscle problems, and gradual paralysis. These effects often go unnoticed because they develop over a long period and are not immediately felt. The effects are causing many users to fail to associate their physical complaints with prior exposure to the gas,” he added.
The anesthesiologist stressed that gases such as N₂O should only be administered by trained medical professionals under strict supervision and with respiratory support equipment. He warned that failure of oxygen exchange in the lungs—even if it lasts only a few minutes, especially more than four minutes—can be fatal. The risks could aggravate particularly for individuals with previously undetected heart or respiratory disorders.
Therefore, the Whip-Pink phenomenon serves as a crucial warning that momentary euphoria is not worth the life-threatening health risks involved.
Translator : Bintang Adrian
