The effect of inhaling dilute nitrous oxide upon recent memory and time estimation

Abstract

1. Human subjects and cats breathing a weak mixture of nitrous oxide (10-40 per cent) in oxygen have been observed. 2. Human subjects breathing 30-40 per cent N2O are not able to retain and recall new information for a period exceeding 2 or 3 min. 3. Both human subjects and cats when breathing 10-40 per cent N2O estimate time as passing more slowly than do the same subjects breathing oxygen or air. 4. In human subjects, deviation from normal time sense increases with increasing dose of anaesthetic. © 1960 Canadian Anesthesiologists.