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>     My question is this: Does nitrous oxide, commonly used as an 
>     anesthetic, work using the same biological mechanism as nitrogen 
>     narcosis? The effects of narcosis and nitrous oxide are certainty 
>     similar in feeling.

N2O is commonly used to produce inert gas narcosis at normobaric pressures 
in experimental situations, to mimic N2 narcosis.  As far as the mechanisms 
of such effects are understood (which is just about not at all), the so 
called inert gases, eg. N2 and N2O, produce narcosis in the same way.

>     Now, if the two work on the same mechanism, would it be possible to 
>     breath a moderate dosage of nitrous oxide, for say, 30 minutes a day 
>     for a week, while performing a task? Something like assembling a 
>     puzzle, playing tic-tac-toe or simple math problems?  Even typing on a 
>     keyboard would be a good task.

It would be better to practice the task you were intending to perform at 
depth, as narcosis differently affects different types of thought processes.

Remember that additional factors other than the inert gas pressure ar going 
too add to your "narcosis" at depth.  Increased breathing gas density 
leading to inceased respiratory exertion and CO2 retention, dark, cold, 
other psychological stresses etc.

>     After a period of time, would you get better at dexterity and 
>     straight-thinking?  And if so, would it allow you to better cope with 
>     the effects of nitrogen narcosis?

Probably, and cope is the correct term, it would not make you more resistant 
to narcosis.

regards,

David Doolette
ddoolett@me*.ad*.ed*.au*

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