Health Canada has issued a stark warning about the dangers of recreational nitrous oxide (N₂O), better known as laughing gas. The agency is urging the public to avoid purchasing and inhaling this substance, highlighting the potential for serious health consequences, including death.

The warning comes in response to the increasing availability of nitrous oxide products, often deceptively marketed as whipped cream chargers. These products, available both online and in physical stores, come in a variety of flavors and are often packaged in large containers, not typically associated with whipped cream dispensers. This deceptive marketing is further emphasized by the fact that they appear in stores not normally stocking whipped cream chargers.

Health Canada explicitly states that the advertising and sale of nitrous oxide for inhalation is strictly prohibited. Many confiscated products, such as those bearing brand names like Bamboozle and Need Whip, demonstrate the scale of this issue. Border security seizures of these products highlight the widespread nature of the problem.

The agency’s advisory serves as a crucial reminder of the hidden risks associated with what may seem like an innocuous product. The potential for severe health complications, and even death, underscores the importance of heeding Health Canada’s warning and avoiding the recreational use of nitrous oxide.