The Ride of my Life....

Dear Family and friends....

I took the ride of my life this afternoon as I experienced for the first time "Nitrous" (laughing gas). Nitrous oxide is a mild sedative used for light sedation in the dental clinic usually prior to giving local anesthetic. The purpose of this post is not to share a science lesson but to share with you the awesome time that I had.

To share something personal with y'all, I have never in my life tasted or used any type of drugs or alcohol so to experience the effects of a sedative substance on my central nervous system was a bit nerve racking.

The session started with a light little nose piece placed on my face with a 6 liter/min flow of 100% O2 followed by a 50% mix of N2O & O2. After about 3 minutes my head began to feel light and my fingers tingled. My arms felt heavy and my body was totally relaxed... I had never felt such peace and comfort in my life......... I felt like I was on that psychedelic ride in "Charley and the Chocolate Factory". At that point, I could have delivered a baby or had my leg amputated and probably wouldn't have cared much. After about 15 minutes of this I had enough wits about me to say that was enough and they brought me back to 100% O2 until I blew off the residual nitrous. All in all it was a crazy ride. I could never figure out why Dad got the laughing gas for a routine teeth cleaning when I was younger, ?, but I sure understand now.....

OK, so in the church we don't do drugs or drink, and I know now why... (probably pretty addictive), but, in a professional and medical setting, I will probably be a benefactor of its amazing sedative powers...

So next time you head to the dentist for a routine cleaning or a tooth restoration or extraction, be sure to ask for the gas to help sooth and calm your fears...

That's all for now.... Happy lives and happy BBQing.....

Warning::: If your are pregnant, think you are pregnant, or planning on impregnating, you should avoid exposure to Nitrous Oxide...

Additional notes: "It is much less toxic than alternatives, such as chloroform, with far less risk of explosion than ether. The main use for N2O is usually as a mild sedative and analgesic. It helps to allay anxiety that many patients may have toward dental treatment, and it offers some degree of painkilling ability."

References:
I.E. Eger, Nitrous Oxide (New York, Edward Arnold Ltd, 1985).