Nationwide Examination on Nitrous Oxide Levels Conducted in Cologne, Germany

In the heart of Germany, researchers at the University of Cologne have embarked on an unprecedented mission to uncover the secrets of laughing gas consumption. Launched on September 9, 2025, this study aims to shed light on the time of laughing gas consumption and its effects on driving ability.

The study, which will continue until September 2027, is unique nationwide, focusing on the effects of laughing gas. It involves ten test subjects, divided into two groups, and is conducted in cooperation with the German Sport University Cologne and the Institute of Biochemistry at the same university.

Each group undergoes two study days. On the first day, each subject inhales eight grams of laughing gas in a closed car. The driving simulator, specially transported from the German Road Safety Association for the study, is used to assess the impact of laughing gas on driving ability.

Blood, urine, and breath samples are taken from the test subjects at regular intervals to determine how long laughing gas can be detected in the body. The study also checks for impairment while driving under the influence of laughing gas. Examples of such impairment include driving in a zigzag pattern.

The unique nitrous oxide study in Cologne also investigates the long-term effects of laughing gas on the body. One test subject does not inhale the drug but is exposed as a passive consumer to gather data on secondary exposure.

Laughing gas, commonly consumed from balloons, has become more common in recent years. However, consuming the gas alone is not illegal in Germany, but its effects while driving a vehicle can be observed. In the last month alone, there have been three severe accidents in Oberhausen and Duisburg, with a total of six people injured, some seriously. In all three cases, the police found laughing gas cylinders in the vehicles, suspecting the drivers were under the influence of the drug.

The study involves interviews with Dr. Martin Jübner and Paul Stach from the University Hospital Cologne, as well as the Cologne Police. Dr. Martin Jübner analyses blood and urine samples for the Cologne police at the Institute of Legal Medicine.

While the study is ongoing, there are no statistics on how many accidents in recent years have been caused by laughing gas. However, it is known that prolonged consumption of laughing gas can lead to permanent paralysis due to the inhibition of Vitamin B12 absorption, which is crucial for the formation and regeneration of nerve cells.

As the study progresses, the researchers hope to provide valuable insights into the risks associated with laughing gas consumption and driving, potentially paving the way for stricter regulations and increased public awareness.