inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Indonesian National Narcotics Agency (BNN) warned that misuse of laughing gas, also known as Pink Whip (N2O) for euphoric effects, is extremely dangerous because it can cause oxygen deprivation, permanent nerve damage, and even death.

The Head of the BNN, Suyudi Ario Seto, stated that outside of medical contexts, N2O is often abused as an inhalant to achieve brief euphoria, relaxation, or mild hallucinations.

"In the long term, it can cause permanent nerve damage, severe vitamin B12 deficiency, and even the risk of death due to oxygen deprivation (hypoxia)," said the BNN Head on Tuesday (1/27/2026).

Legally, he explained, in Indonesia, as of early 2026, laughing gas was not classified as a narcotic or psychotropic substance under Law Number 35 of 2009 concerning narcotics.

The gas in question is also not yet on the latest list of Minister of Health Regulation Number 7 of 2025, which serves as a reference for adjusting narcotics categories, including the inclusion of new substances with the potential to cause dependency.

Therefore, the Head of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) stated that the distribution of Pink Whip in Indonesia is still legal and difficult to prosecute under narcotics laws, despite its dangerous effects. Although not included in the Narcotics Law, global trends indicate tightening regulations on this substance due to the increasing cases of abuse among adolescents.

"In various countries, N2O is now increasingly strictly regulated and is even classified as a prohibited substance (drug) if used for recreational purposes," he said.

The Head of the BNN revealed that laughing gas is freely sold on various online shopping platforms and social media under the guise of a whipped cream maker from the culinary world.

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