Nitrous Oxide

Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports
1

OK. I read Cecil’s answer regarding Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas, the stuff Dentist’s use), but he only went so far as to explain what it is and possibly how it works. What I want to know is the odd sensation you get when the room starts spinning. This never happens when I fall asleep at night and I’ve been knocked out before for tooth extractions and never experienced it. But recently I had a lot of dental work and used Nitrous Oxide. At first, there was a feeling of relaxation, then after about 10 minutes or so, even if I tried to avoid it and fight the feeling the room started spinning around. AND, it always spins clockwise, never the other way around. My questions is, why does this happen?

Thanks,

A Cecil Devotee!

2

Actually, in the southern hemisphere, the room spins counter-clockwise.

3

Cecil’s column is “How does nitrous oxide work? Is it dangerous?”.

Could it be that the dentist is spinning you around in a swivel chair? You never know what they do to you when you’re going under!

In other words, I don’t have a clue.