Experts weigh in on the increasing use of ‘nangs’ among the regions young people

As small gas canisters are becoming easier to access at all hours, experts discuss the consequences of the quick high which has become increasingly popular among young people.

Teens using nangs for a quick high are potentially risking serious health problems including cardiac arrest and brain damage, an expert has warned.

It comes as residents across the Geelong and the Surf Coast reported seeing more discarded canisters near local playgrounds and shopping centres.

Torquay resident Dean Walton shared on social media that he had found at least 25 discarded canisters near a Zeally Bay Rd playground.

Nangs is a slang term for nitrous oxide – a highly used anaesthetic commonly known as laughing gas. Other canisters can contain butane.

When inhaled they can give its user a short 20-second high if inhaled causing them to feel relaxed or dizzy.

Barwon Health emergency medicine director Dr Belinda Hibble said patients had presented to hospital suffering from complications after misusing the inhalants.

“Delayed behavioural development and brain damage are some of the long term health effects, along with depression, anxiety, chronic headaches, kidney and liver damage, and respiratory issues,” she said.

“In high doses, inhalants can cause aggression, short-term memory loss, confusion, hallucination, convulsions and blackouts.”

She said inhaling butane could lead to hyperactivity and cardiac arrest.

“The effects can be instantly lethal, even from first time use, due to suffocating, choking from vomit or throat swelling, especially when combined with alcohol or other drugs.”

Canisters of ­nitrous oxide gas — also known as nangs or bulbs. Photo: Nathan Richter

Butane which can be found in everyday deodorants, along with nangs are not illegal in Victoria, making them popular among younger people and has led to an emergence of online businesses offering the product along with 24 hour home delivery.

It is understood the small gas canisters can also be easily purchased in-store in some shops across the region.

Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association chief executive officer Sam Biondo said “you can’t legislate common sense.”

“It has been around for a number of years, much more noticeably now because of how people are disposing of the metallic containers,” he said.

“Essentially it’s not an illegal substance because it’s at such a low risk.

“It’s not a drug of addiction per say but it can have psychological impacts, and if it is misused it can create a lack of oxygen to the brain.”

Mr Biondo also compared nangs and butane inhalers to alcohol, stating that both are widely accessible and increasingly misused.

“From our point, we are not seeing any significant impacts on our members or service users, it may be an eyesore to see canisters all over the place and people may be concerned and rightfully so depending on how people use it, but generally there is more harmful substances around.”

While more canisters have been reported by community members, Barwon Health confirmed the number of patients presenting to hospital with complications has remained steady in recent months.

Originally published as Experts weigh in on the increasing use of ‘nangs’ among the regions young people