Psychologist Questions Nitrous oxide

psychosis and nitrous oxide

So I went to the dentist and got my top wisdom teeth removed. I did it with just nitrous and novocaine. I had the worst hallucination. Since I was 13 I thought I had psychosis but I haven't been able to go to a psychologist. Anyway today I went to get a filling and I asked for nitrous oxide again. This time the hallucinations were even worse. It didn't happen the last time I went at like 11 or 12, and at 13-14 is when I had my major breakdown and my psychotic symptoms showed. Is that like a common thing or is it not connected?

Female | 18 years old

8 Answers

PsychologistNitrousoxide
Hi! It is always possible with any illicit substance, including nitrous oxide, for individuals to have some abnormal side effects, especially if youve already had an experience of psychosis or psychotic symptoms, or if you have a biological predisposition to psychosis. I would check in about that with your dentist, though, because it is possible it could be giving you too much, or that you are just more sensitive. Either way, if it is inducing psychotic symptoms, I would recommend you not asking for it anymore if possible. Experiencing psychotic symptoms can be damaging to our brain, even after brief episodes, so exposing yourself to a substance that has elicited that for you twice now is likely an indication you should avoid it. As far as experiencing psychotic symptoms when you were young, I would also recommend you pursuing a consultation with either a psychiatrist or a psychologist about those, especially since they have resurfaced recently. Let me know if you have any other questions or if youre interested in a consultation with me to talk more about this! I would be happy to meet with you! Take care, Dr. Fryer
Namaste, Sorry to hear about your situation. I am not a dentist neither am I a psychiatrist. You may want to contact one in your area and consult with them. You may also want to check with your PCP and they may give you referrals in your area.Take care and stay well.Dr. Lata Sonpal
You should see a psychiatrist, a doctor with an MD after their name, to find out how to proceed. Do you live at home? Ask your family doctor for a recommendation or go to the emergency room of your local hospital. You should get help.
Individuals respond differently to the use of these substances. A frightening experience can predispose us to anticipate or expect a negative outcome, i.e., self-fulfilling. It would be helpful to speak with a therapist to see what other factors are contributing to this outcome.
Hi,

I recommend that you ask a psychopharmacologist, psychiatrist, or nurse practitioner, i.e., people who dispense medications and are more aware of adverse reactions.

However, I will offer some general input. First, the main and long-prevailing view of psychosis -- and manifestation of psychotic symptoms in particular, is the stress-vulnerability model. That you had a break at age 13-14 suggests you have an underlying probably genetic vulnerability to experience psychotic symptoms. The idea is that you may be doing relatively well, but if your nervous system is "stressed" which a substance such as nitrous oxide that alters one's mental state and perception of reality (i.e., such that pain is not experienced as pain), you are at higher risk for an adverse reaction in the form of psychotic symptoms.

I would be less concerned with the dental work (since nitrous oxide has a very short half-life, i.e., it only lasts a short time, than with your overall mental status and assessment of need for medication. You say you have not been able to get to a psychologist. Given your report of a break at age 13-14, all the data on early onset psychosis show that the prognosis is much, much better if you begin taking regular antipsychotic medication as soon as the symptoms manifest. So, I would very strongly encourage you to seek medication treatment as well as individual or group psychotherapy.
You didn't say what the hallucination was. I think it is related to an unprocessed memory. Can you find truth in the nightmarish hallucination? What have you refused to remember, face, reveal? Buried trauma is relentless, when given the opportunity to express itself. Once we process it (allow memory and feelings), we are relieved.
No, it is not common, but some people are very sensitive to various things such as drugs. You just might be a very sensitive person and that can be turned towards greater things such as intuition and spiritual awakening.
See link on side effects:

https://www.side-effects-site.com/nitrous-oxide-side-effects.html

Also, talk to an experienced dentist about what he/she has observed. Data indicates hallucinations can happen.