Nitrous oxide is a safe and effective anxiolytic and analgesic agent that is mixed with oxygen. Nitrous oxide can be used during procedures and treatments to help make you feel more comfortable.

The nitrous oxide and oxygen analgesia system delivers a safe mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen which is inhaled and exhaled through a mouthpiece (think Hookah pipe), providing you control of your experience through self-administration. Your doctor will ask you to breathe normally through your mouth, and within a few minutes, you should start to feel the effects of the gas mixture. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off within 5-10 minutes after the last inhalation of the N2O/O2 mixture.

No. The provided nitrous oxide and oxygen ratio is not strong enough to provide anesthesia and put you to sleep. You will be able to hear and respond to any requests or directions the doctor and staff may have.

Most patients will say it makes them feel relaxed, and their arms and legs feel light. Some patients feel tingling in their extremities and report feeling like they are floating, and/or sinking. Nitrous oxide is often called “laughing gas,” so some patients will feel giggly when the gas mixture takes effect. Also, your voice may temporarily change during the administration of nitrous oxide since vocal cords are affected by nitrous oxide.

For most patients, the calming, relaxing effects of nitrous oxide will be felt within a minute or two or after a couple of deep inhalation/exhalation cycles. Effects may vary from patient to patient. Once you stop inhaling the gas mixture, you will start feeling “normal” within 5-10 minutes.

Nitrous oxide does not completely eliminate pain. This is important to understand and to set your expectations. Our no-needle anesthesia is used to numb locally and Nitrous oxide is intended to take the edge off, help you relax, make the numbing part of the procedure more comfortable, and reduce anxiety.

Side effects are usually non-existent or minimal. With a self-administered protocol, you are in total control which helps to minimize side effects. Side effects that can occur in some patients are dizziness and nausea. If you do not like how you are feeling, stop inhaling the N2O/O2 mixture and breathe room air. This should quickly reverse any negative effects.

While nitrous oxide has been used during medical procedures for decades, the use of nitrous oxide and oxygen analgesia systems is not currently covered by insurance. It is considered an add-on service for vasectomy procedures and can be discussed with Dr. Matson during your initial consultation.

The cost of using a nitrous oxide and oxygen analgesia system is billed in addition to our normal procedure costs. The current charge is $200.