Nitrous Oxide, or "laughing gas", is a dissociative anesthetic that has the potential to induce geometric visualizations, intense euphoria, and a profound sense of connection to the divine or universal energies. In the medical field, it is primarily used as an anesthetic and pain-reliever, as it has an analgesic effect that can, when used in combination with other anesthetics, cause profound changes in consciousness. While it is a stable compound, when released into the atmosphere, nitrous oxide is known to contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer and to act as a greenhouse gas, making it an environmental hazard.

See also: altered state, nitric oxide, psychedelic experience, peak experience, default mode network