Nitrous Oxide Use and Misuse

Nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) is a widely available inhalant that can produce rapid, intense, short-lived impairment—creating growing concerns for traffic safety and DUID investigations. In this course, forensic toxicologist Jolene Bierly (NMS Labs) explains current misuse trends, how nitrous oxide affects the body and driving performance, and why it can be difficult to detect due to rapid elimination. Learners will gain practical guidance on toxicology testing considerations, including the importance of prompt collection, airtight containers, and minimizing headspace to reduce sample loss, and will review real case examples to connect forensic findings with investigative observations.