‘Laughing gas’ abusers run risk of mental problems, leading psychiatrist warns

Experts say avoidable harm from the gas — usually released into balloons from small silver canisters before being inhaled — has been observed worldwide.

In a new medical paper, doctors describe how a 22-year-old man presented at an Irish hospital with psychotic symptoms that included delusions, auditory hallucinations, and disorganised cognition.

He thought gardaí had implanted a microchip in his right arm to transmit his thoughts

He told the doctors he inhaled nitrous oxide — which is regularly used in childbirth — to experience rapid euphoria.

The young man with no previous psychiatric history arrived at A&E believing he was under surveillance by his neighbours and gardaí, who were looking to implicate him in a drug ring.

“He also thought gardaí had implanted a microchip in his right arm which was transmitting his thoughts.

“He was convinced that gardaí had placed cameras in his home and tracked his phone. He was also troubled by thoughts of worthlessness, which he…