How to reduce the harm for Nitrous Oxide?
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 known as cobalamin is an incredibly important vitamin. It is involved in the metabolism of every single cell in the human body, DNA synthesis and the synthesis of myelin sheaths that protect your nerves. Most users are aware that chronic use of nitrous can cause vitamin B12 deficiency which can disturb the aforementioned processes, but they don’t understand how and what this can do to them.
Some important points about Vitamin B12:
The recommended dietary intake of B12 is only 1-25mcg per day.
If blood tests reveal your deficient, 1ml intramuscular shots are used to correct the condition.
Foods such as fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and milk products all contain vitamin B12.
Vegetarians and vegans are at risk of natural deficiency because their diets don’t consist of B12-containing foods. However, fortified foods are available.
Most B complex vitamins don’t have high amounts of B12 but rather the 25mcg RDI.
Vitamin B12 is water soluble. This means you cannot overdose on it. It’s impossible. If in doubt about deficiency, don’t be afraid to supplement.
In terms of supplementation it is recommended if you use nitrous oxide at any frequency to get a hold of some high dose B12. Either in the form of methylcobalamin or cyanocobalamin. The efficacy between the two seems to be appears to be about the same. A dose of 1000 mcg daily for a week after the four day inhibition period nitrous induces seems to be effective supplementation for most people.
Methionine Synthase
Methionine synthase is an enzyme responsible for regenerating methionine which has a number of important functions in the body related to the maintenance and growth of DNA and blood vessels. To work methionine synthase needs vitamin B12 as a cofactor. Since nitrous oxide inhibits the absorption of vitamin B12 this process is also inhibited for 3-4 days at a time. It is reasonable to assume that daily or even weekly use can potentially be harmful for most people.
Nitrous oxide induced Neuropathy
Let’s get to the bottom of this issue: nitrous oxide very quickly oxidises vitamin B12 rendering it useless as a cofactor to a process called methionine synthase (discussed in depth below) this means that some important processes can’t take place in your body.
It takes 3-4 days for your body to be able to efficiently absorb vitamin B12 again. In occasional use for most people this is fine, they can deal with the interrupted process for a week or so. But with chronic use leading to continued interruption of MS and B12 absorption, peripheral neuropathy symptoms start to present. This can lead to nasty conditions such as Lichtheim’s disease which can cause the spinal cord to degenerate. However, neuropathy is reversible if caught early and completely correctible. Vitamin B12 deficiency and associated neuropathy can take a long time to show symptoms. Here are some symptoms to look out for that relate to both neuropathy and vitamin B12 deficiency:
Tingling/pins and needles especially in the extremities
Twitching eyelid
Fatigue/weakness
Pale skin
Bruising easily
Vision loss
Smooth tongue
Unusual bowel movements (constipation or diarrhoea)
If you’re in doubt the best thing you can do for yourself is consult a medical professional and get blood work done to determine if you are B12 deficient. You don’t have to disclose your drug use to your doctor if you don’t wish to.
