this post was submitted on 08 Nov 2023
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[–] [email protected] 44 points 9 months ago (1 children)

"Today we are sending a clear signal to young people that there are consequences for misusing drugs. Both users and dealers will face the full force of the law for their actions,"

Criminalising the users has worked so well with other drugs, hasn't it? The war on drugs will be won any second now...

[–] [email protected] 14 points 9 months ago (1 children)

drugs have already won. this is just a rearguard action before more sensible policy comes in. the UK is far behind on decriminalisation.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 9 months ago (1 children)

There's already evidence in the UK that a progressive approach works, but it has been forgotten about. Middlesbrough police trialled a scheme where they provided heroin users with their fix. All of a sudden, the users stopped committing offences to raise money for their habit, which in turn deprived dealers of a lucrative source of income.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

It's not been forgotten about it's been buried. They were not happy when they were advise to reclassify marijuana as a class C. That's where we got the famous line "the public are tired of experts" from.

[–] EdanGrey 22 points 9 months ago (1 children)

This won't stop people though, just criminalise them.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago

the goal is to make us all a little bit criminal.

[–] [email protected] 21 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (3 children)

Ah the vitaminB12 problem, which is far worse than the liver cirrhosis in alcoholics, and you know, lung cancer...

I've never even had a go on Nitrous, but what a bullshit excuse.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 9 months ago (2 children)

I had nitrous when I had my wisdom teeth out, shit was tight.

[–] ElderWendigo 10 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I was hesitant to buy into the whole nitrous thing when getting dental work done. What's a little discomfort? I can take it. But holy fucking shit does it make a difference for the better. Especially for something like a cleaning; I'm calmer, more relaxed, and even though I can still feel what they are doing in there I just don't care as much. It feels like a zero calorie beer for breakfast. And paired with actual numbing agents during a more involved procedure, it helps them as much as me. It's like a hypnosis drug. I just focus on breathing through my nose and follow their instructions without any stress and the drunken feeling passes before I even leave the chair so I can go on with my day.

Moreover, I can't exactly make whipped cream with carbon dioxide. Are they going to outlaw Guinness in a can with the nitrous widget next?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago (2 children)

I've never made whipped cream using any compressed gas. Is it a preference thing for whipped cream made using gas?

[–] ElderWendigo 2 points 9 months ago

I have a reusable canister that takes nitrous charges. Dump 16oz of heavy cream, simple syrup, and flavor into a chilled canister; seal, charge, and shake. Now you have easy to dispense whipped cream. Nitrogen gas adds a bit of sweetness to food (like Guiness or nitro iced coffee), whereas carbon dioxide adds a bit of bite (like in most sodas).

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago

It tastes a bit sweeter and looks better, really. You can also use the charger to froth cold soups or to make foamy suspensions.

It’s a better alternative to prepackaged whipped cream, in my mind. It also doesn’t contain sweeteners (unless you put them in, of course) which is a benefit.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago (1 children)

When I had some teeth out they injected something into my gums to numb it and it was fucking horrible. Next time I went they got the syringe out and I just told them I'd rather feel the pain than go through that again.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Novocaine. But if you're having surgery you definitely want it. It's not exactly pleasant having someone stab you in the gum with a with a needle but it's even less pleasant to have someone pull one of your teeth out with a pair of pliers.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago

I think I was having a tooth drilled for a filling. It hurt but it was definitely bearable.

I preferred going through the pain compared to a needle in the gum and an hour of numb-faced dribbling.

Of course it's preferable sometimes, but I really hate it.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I had nitrous one time about 10 years ago. Friends of a friend had one of those devices where you could pinch the container and the gas would flow into a Ballon on the other end.

Just exchanged the air in my lungs with the gas in the Ballon until I kind of passed out for a second, followed by a wave of euphoria and laughter.

Was fun, but not something I would do again, even without the included health risks.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 9 months ago (1 children)

You really shouldn't rebreathe it like that. I've been told that's how you get the brain damage.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (2 children)

You would pass unconscious loooooong before you induce permanent brain damage.

Unless you strap something to your face, that is

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Or lock yourself inside a safe with only a snorkel and several whippets.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

But the Dolphins!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago

Oh you know I be getting all Little Shop of Horrors with it.

[–] [email protected] 19 points 9 months ago (3 children)

Is B12 the main risk with nitrous?

I suppose the wealthy aren't doing it, so why not tread on those dirty poors a bit harder - it can't be a health issue if we make it a criminal one, eh gents?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

nitrous inhibits b12 production, so if you use a shitton in one sitting then take a few weeks break youll be fine just supplement b12

but if u use a little bit periodically over a couple days that could start to degrade your nerves permanently due to lack of b12.

but you cant produce less than zero and any nitrous puts you at zero so if youre gonna use it do big one night binges then take a month off and supplement b12 for a bit. in this case its theoretically pretty harmless.

edit b12 coats and protects ur nerves or smth

[–] [email protected] 0 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I thought the big risk for nitrous was oxygen deprivation.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

u could if ur being dumb but u can get the same oxygen deprivation by holding your breath

suffocating to death via nitrous oxide would just be less painful. not that i condone it but that is how suicide pods tend to work kinda

edit: never attach anything to anywhere that air goes into. coz nos makes u pass out sometimes. so ive heard ofc

[–] [email protected] -3 points 9 months ago

Pretty sure the worst risk is brain lesions.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 9 months ago

Well that's that solved then. I'll expect to see no more little cylinders left by all the local cream chefs we have around here.

What a good job the Tories are looking out for us with all those extra police needed to enforce the new rules.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 9 months ago

A new The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry study puts forth an intriguing theory about the use of “laughing gas” to treat people with severe, treatment-resistant depression who experience suicidal thoughts.

https://www.psychiatrist.com/news/the-weekly-mind-reader-laughing-gas-for-suicide-prevention/

[–] [email protected] 8 points 9 months ago (2 children)

So if I were living in the UK, I’d be a criminal, got it.

But on a more serious note, how am I supposed to whip cream now? I understand banning it as a drug, but what about the main purpose of nitrous?

[–] [email protected] 12 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (2 children)

@DaDragon before there was nitrous sold for whipping cream, there was this thing called an egg beater.

Does the same job without producing so much waste.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I actually had no idea people made whipped cream using a method other than whipping it with a whisk (manually or motorized).

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago

It’s nicer, for when you have guests over, for example. You could always pipe the cream, I guess, but that’s even more work

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago

Nitrous whipped cream is sweeter, but apart from that and presentation, you’re correct.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Use nitrogen or carbon dioxide, I guess? No idea how those will perform.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

Carbon dioxide would produce curdled cream, that much I know.

Looks like it’s only a half-ban, really.

For example, someone buying a single canister on a weekday alongside other household and baking goods differs to young people buying a number of nitrous oxide canisters on a weekend.

Which I find funny because I do have a large stock of nitrous cartridges, and am a young person.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 9 months ago (2 children)

so they just want the law to say they can incarcerate people if they feel like it?

[–] [email protected] 6 points 9 months ago

that is the purpose of a great many laws

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago (1 children)

The dealers and users don't help themselves with discarding the canisters all over the street.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Ice cream vendors are gonna make mint off this.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago

Why can't they make the other flavours?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago

Nitrous oxide, just say no, and do cooler drugs instead.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago

This is the best summary I could come up with:


Under the new rules, those found in unlawful possession of the drug could now face a prison sentence or unlimited fine, with up to 14 years for supply or production.

Toughening the law could have "significant unintended consequences" the Advisory Council on The Misuse of Drugs said, including users not seeking medical help.

One brand, Smartwhip, used legitimately to aerate cream and sauces in restaurants, is being sold surreptitiously to addicts in corner shops.

Intensive, frequent use of laughing gas can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency which can cause neurological damage, scientific studies suggest.

Announcing the ban, Crime and Policing Minister Chris Philp said nitrous oxide abuse was dangerous to people's health.

Drugs Map of Britain - How a local community in Birmingham has been impacted by nitrous oxide, told through the users, the shops that sell it and the activist trying to stop it.


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