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YouTube has brought the world many gems, but none greater than the trend of filming people at their most vulnerable - under the influence of laughing gas - and sharing all the funny stories with the rest of the internet.

Nitrous oxide or "laughing gas" is a sedative that calms the nerves, used commonly during dental procedures, like pulling teeth, and while the name suggests the patient will break out into fits of laughter, a lot of times the side-effects makes those around them laugh even harder. Someone on Reddit asked, "Anesthesiologists, what are the best things people have said under the gas?" and the answers may send you into fits of giggles without any local anesthesia. Scroll down below, and don't forget to upvote your favorite funny anesthesia stories!

The laughing gas (nitrous oxide) we use today was developed through experimentation by British chemist and inventor Humphrey Davy in 1799. He was curious to see the effect the gas would have on people and what they might do, so he began with experiments on himself.

Humphrey and his assistant Dr. Kinglake, began by heating up crystals of ammonium nitrate, collect the released gas in a green oiled-silk bag, pass this through water vapor in order to remove any impurities, and inhale it through a mouthpiece. According to records the Public Domain Review, anesthesia side-effects recorded involved giddiness, flushed cheeks, intense pleasure and the “sublime emotion connected with highly vivid ideas.” 

Eventually, the experiment conditions evolved in setting and frequency. Humphry would inhale larger amounts of the gas outside of his lab, “occupied only by an ideal existence”, and even consume it after drinking. The researcher continued to record the effects in detailed accounts but his addiction grew as well. He constructed an "air-tight breathing box" and would sit for hours at a time inhaling large amounts and almost died on several occasions. 

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Early in the summer of 1799 the nitrous oxide trials began on other people. The two researchers began to give the gas to their circle of friends and had them report their experiences after. Future Poet Laureate, Robert Southey said of the experience: "O, Tom! Such a gas has Davy discovered, the gasoeus oxyd! O, Tom! I have had some; it made me laugh and tingle in every toe and finger-tip. Davy has actually invented a new pleasure for which language has no name. O, Tom! I am going for more this evening; it makes one strong and so happy, so gloriously happy! O, excellent air-bag!"

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While nitrous oxcide is safe when administered by health professionals some young people have begun a trend of inhaling it for festivals, nightclubs and concerts. Ian Hamilton, a drug researcher at York University, told MailOnline: "This significant rise in deaths due to nitrous oxide use needs urgent action, we need to educate young people about the dangers of using this drug. While the drug is relatively safe, the way it is used means people are at risk of asphyxiation. These reported deaths are most likely to have been accidental rather than deliberate, that gives us an opportunity to reverse this appalling trend."

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logical fallacy
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So, for my thesis I work with human aortas that we get from the mortuary of the uni hospital, but in recent months the pathologist responsible has been very ill and unable to harvest the organs. I got the call that she was well in the tube, so I proceded to say, in a normal voice, 'well a few more days and I'd have taken an axe to the tube and get them myself, yay for dead donors.' The entire cart froze. It's why I don't go out much...

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Kathy Baylis
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are some words and phrases that should be off limits for doctors and nurses to say in front of patients. I had a biopsy done a while ago and, while extracting the tissue sample, the doctor whispered something to the nurse that included the words "I can see it". I thought he was saying he could see cancer! I was too much in shock or I would've said something right then. I was a wreck until the labs came back. Luckily, there wasn't anything wrong. Turns out he was talking about something entirely unrelated to my procedure, but I think he and the nurse forgot for a moment that I was awake and my ears work just fine.

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I HAD A GRAT TIM
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had to go under this once too. I had a rock stuck in my upper left eye. I did the same thing. Surgery lasted 2 1/2 hrs and for me it was like ZAP. When I woke up everyone was staring at me like a lab experiment. Turns out I had a huge black eye and looked like a panda 🐼 😂

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Shika Louis
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When you come in again - You:"Hi again" Surgeon : "Oh God, what name am I going to be stuck with now?"

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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The screaming kids are common when they come out of anesthesia. I used to volunteer at my country's main childhood cancer hospital and we would even tell the parents before the treatment started (usually small kids going for multiple sessions of radiation), so they wouldn't freak out if their kid started screaming for no reason when they woke up. We called it anesthesia rage.

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Charlotte Brine
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm afraid I'm tempted to call r/thathappened on this one... Thoughts from other people?

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Foxxy
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know it is extremely rare for that to happen but that was my biggest fear when I had my first surgery.

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