The Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) is a national drug monitoring system intended to identify emerging trends of local and national concern in illicit drug markets, and forms part of Drug Trends.

This bulletin examines:

• The per cent of EDRS participants who reported using nitrous oxide in the six months preceding interview, since the commencement of monitoring (2003-2026);
• Forms of nitrous oxide used in the six months preceding interview (small bulbs and/or bottle/cylinder/tanks ≤1000g and/or >1000g);
• Location and time of purchase, and reported difficulties accessing products; and
• Associated harms experienced in relation to use of nitrous oxide.

Key findings

• Nitrous oxide use remained stable and infrequent in 2026, with 32% of the sample reporting past six month use on a median of three days.
• Among those who had recently used nitrous oxide, use of larger bottles/cylinders/tanks (61%) exceeded use traditional small (~8g) bulbs (55%) for the first time.
• Both forms were most commonly purchased from a corner/convenience store.
• In 2026, approximately one in ten participants (13%) who reported recent oxide use also reported experiencing persistent neurological symptoms.
• Four per cent of the overall EDRS sample reported that they had been denied sale and/or experienced difficulty accessing nitrous oxide in the six months preceding interview.

Discussion

Although nitrous oxide use has declined since its peak in 2020, the market appears to have shifted substantially from small 8g bulbs to larger cylinders. This change raises concerns about the potential for higher levels of exposure and an increased risk of neurotoxicity among people who use the drug. Notably, around one in ten participants reporting nitrous oxide use also reported persistent neurological symptoms, highlighting the potential for harm even in the context of declining use. Understanding whether the shift towards larger cylinders has contributed to increased levels of harm is therefore an important public health priority.

Targeted education and awareness campaigns are also needed to improve understanding of the risks associated with nitrous oxide use, particularly the potential for serious neurological harms. Improved education could help both people who use nitrous oxide and clinicians to recognise early signs and symptoms of toxicity, facilitating earlier presentation to health services and more timely treatment.

Convenience stores remained the most common source of both small bulbs and larger cylinders, with many participants reporting purchases between 10pm and 5am. This likely reflects differences in regulatory approaches across jurisdictions. Notably, despite restrictions being in place in some jurisdictons, few participants reported difficulties accessing nitrous oxide products. These findings highlight the importance of ongoing monitoring of supply and access patterns as further regulatory measures are introduced.

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Recommended citation

Karlsson A, Sutherland R, Peacock A, Soderstrom J, Brett J, Chan B, Grigg J. Patterns of nitrous oxide use among samples of people who regularly use ecstasy and/or other stimulants in Australia. Drug Trends Bulletin Series. Sydney: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney; 2026. Available from: https://doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/32042

Funding and copyright

Drug Trends is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing under the Drug and Alcohol Program.

©NDARC, UNSW SYDNEY 2026 

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• Patterns of nitrous oxide use among samples of people who regularly use ecstasy and/or other stimulants in Australia

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