U.S. media have reported that world-famous rapper Kanye West has sent a legal notice to his dentist, accusing him of malpractice that allegedly led to West’s addiction to nitrous oxide.
With West’s wife, Bianca Censori, acting as a witness, the letter — signed by lawyer Andrew Cherkasky — claims that Dr. Thomas Connelly, dubbed the “father of diamond dentistry” by Rolling Stone magazine, encouraged the rapper to use the gas unsupervised.
Cherkasky alleges in the letter that Dr. Connelly took advantage of West’s vulnerable state by charging him US$50,000 a month for a “continuous supply” of nitrous oxide.
“You repeatedly administered or supplied nitrous oxide (‘laughing gas’) and/or other sedative substances to Ye in quantities and frequencies that had no legitimate dental or medical justification,” the letter states. “Notably, you went so far as to deliver large ‘surgical-size’ nitrous oxide tanks to Ye’s personal residence (including the residence he shared with Ms. Censori), effectively enabling and encouraging him to inhale nitrous oxide outside of any medical setting.”
Also read: Reviewing Contraindications to Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide use rising among young adults
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is not a controlled substance in the U.S. However, the U.K. classified it as a Class C drug in 2023, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Possession or sale for recreational use is now a criminal offence, similar to anabolic steroids and some tranquilizers.
Although rare, there have been reported deaths linked to long-term use, including a 2024 U.K. inquest that found laughing gas contributed to the death of a 24-year-old student.
A 2023 paper in Addiction posed the question, “Does nitrous oxide addiction exist?” The authors concluded that while traditionally considered non-addictive, its recreational use has become more frequent globally, with links to both physical and psychological health problems.
Also read: Nitrous Oxide and Postoperative Morbidity and Mortality: An Update of the ENIGMA-II Trial
Health profession students
Research suggests the prevalence of nitrous oxide misuse is highest among adolescents and young adults, particularly those aged 21 to 26. A review published in Frontiers in Psychiatry found that males made up the majority of users, and most had a history of polysubstance use.
Alarmingly, high rates of use have also been reported among health profession students. A 2023 French study found 76.6 per cent of surveyed students had tried nitrous oxide, and seven per cent met criteria for substance use disorder.
The same study also found a strong link between nitrous oxide misuse and mental health issues, including depression, anxiety and insomnia.