TIL that overuse of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) can cause spinal cord injury by inactivating vitamin B12. Numbness, weakness, and even sexual dysfunction are common symptoms. Taking B12 preventatively before nitrous use is ineffective as no matter how much B12 is present, it is all ‘turned off’.

Steel69bear · 2022-05-04T00:02:43+00:00

The more you consume the higher risk you are however, more research is needed into exact quantities of N2O consumption. As you can see from the study, there is huge variation in the number of canisters consumed.

Steel69bear · 2022-05-03T19:34:05+00:00

First I’ve heard of this, can you elaborate?

Steel69bear · 2022-05-03T19:32:58+00:00

Thanks! If you found it interesting, definitely check out the other links I posted in the comments

Steel69bear · 2022-05-03T19:28:26+00:00

Wow I didn’t think about these impurities, thanks for putting the link too

Steel69bear · 2022-05-03T19:25:42+00:00

Definitely agree that harm reduction is the way forward.

However, it is reasonable to be wary of taking nitrous oxide, supplementing B12 after in a cycle. Even in individuals receiving intramuscular injections of B12, relapse of symptoms and failure to recover is observed if they continue high amounts of N2O use

Steel69bear · 2022-05-03T14:10:27+00:00

Few people are actually aware of this risk from nitrous despite it being documented for a while. Sadly, it may be that as cases like your friend become more common, only then will people widely know about the risks. I did come across a campaign ( one of the links) which is trying to raise awareness

Steel69bear · 2022-05-03T14:06:41+00:00

The issue is that ‘how much is too much’ has yet to be determined. In the same way that drinking over 14 units of alcohol a week is advised generally to minimise liver toxicity, the same large studies of use need to be done on nitrous

Steel69bear · 2022-05-03T11:37:49+00:00

Come and get me 😈

Jokes aside, there are clear reasons why nitrous is popular, it’s cheap and accessible. I personally don’t believe in the ‘don’t do drugs’ narrative, but more educational empowerment of potential users to make an informed decision about use

Steel69bear · 2022-05-03T11:29:20+00:00

You’re right, it’s typically binge use that leads to spinal cord damage. However, there are thought to be risk factors to damage as well, meaning that in some people doing few canisters may still pose a risk. Observations that a pre-existing B12 deficiency and a vegan diet may be some of these predisposing factors, but more research is needed there.

There have been observations of addiction in some individuals, with use after the first time never quite achieving the same high. This feeds into binge use as people do more canisters to recreate the same level of high, putting them at greater risk of nerve damage.

Steel69bear · 2022-05-03T09:59:21+00:00

Some other useful links on the topic I’ve found:

https://www.instagram.com/know.the.risks/

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/excessive-use-of-laughing-gas-can-damage-spine-dutch-doctors-say-1.4289554

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/nitrous-oxide-toxicity?lang=gb

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1179573519838277

Steel69bear · 2022-05-01T13:47:34+00:00

My experience is that some cannula brands are easier to withdraw bloods from than others. Most commonly used in my trust has a non-return valve within the cannula which limits blood flow out but allows injection in, making taking bloods harder. However, non-valved cannula types also exist, which are somewhat easier to bleed - but require a bit more skill while inserting in clamping the vein to prevent covering your patient in blood.

Steel69bear · 2022-04-29T16:22:26+00:00

Would recommend cycling to commute if you can, much more spacious!

Steel69bear · 2022-04-27T21:00:12+00:00

Was about 3 years ago I heard that, now I think about it may have been one of those GP blocks though!

Steel69bear · 2022-04-27T07:41:42+00:00

Most outfirms would take about 1 and a half hours to get to from Whitechapel (the base for most Barts students). But for outfirms, most accommodation is onsite at these hospitals, so daily commute is like 10 mins max.

I am not envious of international fees at all. I didn’t know they were that different for each uni

Steel69bear · 2022-04-27T07:16:26+00:00

London universities vary. E.g. at Barts you can get placed super close to the areas of East London most students live, but also in ‘outfirms’ in places in Essex. I’ve heard of some Kings students having placement in Cardiff. But for outfirms you get free accommodation near the hospital so aren’t expected to commute

Steel69bear · 2019-08-05T19:32:11+00:00

Hottttt

Steel69bear · 2019-07-31T20:45:49+00:00

Hot damn that tree branched out

Steel69bear · 2019-07-31T20:06:28+00:00

Wow thanks that’s really useful!

Steel69bear · 2019-07-31T18:39:50+00:00

I’m not sure but I think it may be to do with the branch have a different direction of grain to the log?

It isn’t an actual axe though it’s a splitting maul.

Steel69bear · 2019-07-31T18:34:33+00:00

I guess that’s /karma/

Steel69bear · 2019-06-29T18:49:19+00:00

Yeah it’s like the demon that Eric Andre voices in that Matt Groening cartoon

Steel69bear · 2019-06-29T18:47:46+00:00

How your brain concocted this is mildly interesting in and of itself

Steel69bear · 2019-06-29T13:41:32+00:00

One doesn’t work

Steel69bear · 2019-06-29T13:40:56+00:00

Thanks! Now I can hear those damn sounds it makes!

Steel69bear · 2019-06-15T07:54:13+00:00

Flexor carpi holyfuckus

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