Hydrogen narcosis
Encyclopedia
Hydrogen narcosis is the psychotropic state induced by breathing hydrogen
at high pressures. Hydrogen narcosis produces symptoms such as hallucinations, disorientation, and confusion, which are similar to hallucinogenic drugs. It can be experienced by deep-sea divers
who dive to 300 metres (984.3 ft) below sea level breathing hydrogen mixtures. However, hydrogen has far less narcotic effect than nitrogen (which causes the better known nitrogen narcosis
) and is very rarely used in diving. In tests of the effect of hydrogen narcosis, where divers dove to 500 metres (1,640.4 ft) with a hydrogen–helium–oxygen (Hydreliox
) mixture containing 49% hydrogen, it was found that while the narcotic effect of hydrogen was detectable, the neurological symptoms of high-pressure nervous syndrome were only moderate.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen is the chemical element with atomic number 1. It is represented by the symbol H. With an average atomic weight of , hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant chemical element, constituting roughly 75% of the Universe's chemical elemental mass. Stars in the main sequence are mainly...
at high pressures. Hydrogen narcosis produces symptoms such as hallucinations, disorientation, and confusion, which are similar to hallucinogenic drugs. It can be experienced by deep-sea divers
Scuba diving
Scuba diving is a form of underwater diving in which a diver uses a scuba set to breathe underwater....
who dive to 300 metres (984.3 ft) below sea level breathing hydrogen mixtures. However, hydrogen has far less narcotic effect than nitrogen (which causes the better known nitrogen narcosis
Nitrogen narcosis
Narcosis while diving , is a reversible alteration in consciousness that occurs while scuba diving at depth. The Greek word ναρκωσις is derived from narke, "temporary decline or loss of senses and movement, numbness", a term used by Homer and Hippocrates...
) and is very rarely used in diving. In tests of the effect of hydrogen narcosis, where divers dove to 500 metres (1,640.4 ft) with a hydrogen–helium–oxygen (Hydreliox
Hydreliox
Hydreliox is an exotic breathing gas mixture of helium, oxygen and hydrogen.It is used primarily for research and scientific deep diving, usually below . Below this depth, extended breathing of heliox gas mixtures may cause high pressure nervous syndrome . Two gas mixtures exist that attempt to...
) mixture containing 49% hydrogen, it was found that while the narcotic effect of hydrogen was detectable, the neurological symptoms of high-pressure nervous syndrome were only moderate.