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At 09:20 AM 12/9/99 -0800, you wrote:
>On a serious note, isn't this basically the same mechanism and buzz as
>narcosis in diving? Increased PPN? Any docs out there?

Same thing exactly -- a heavy, lipid soluble molecule impairing 
transmission at nerve synapses. Nitrous oxide as well as high P nitrogen 
work as "hypnotics" rather than real anesthetics -- you won't get 
completely knocked out but you get stymied, numb with idea fixation and 
snug up in your own cozy little fantasy world. The downside is you may get 
a "bad trip" imagining terror all over the place. The grim reaper may rear 
his ugly head. But then, in deep air diving this may turn out to be a 
correct assessment of the situation. ;-)

regards,

Hans
(physiologist -- not an MD)

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