Draft:Funky Balls

• Comment: Funky balls, as I understand it, is a term for balloons filled with nitrous oxide, a topic already covered in our article for the recreational use of nitrous oxide. Some of the non-duplicative content here would be quite welcome at that article though, which has no mention of the use and legality in Southeast Asia. gobonobo ^{+ c} 02:43, 3 May 2024 (UTC)

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Funky Balls

Funky Ball

Funky Balls, also known as Happy Balloons or Laughing Gas Balloons, are typically used by youths in Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. They appear in the form of balloons filled with nitrous oxide, serving as party entertainment and decoration, and are often secretly used as a drug among partygoers.

Uses

Funky balls have various uses, especially in nightlife and recreational drug scenes. These colorful spheres, often decorated, are popular at parties and clubs, adding to the lively atmosphere. They are also associated with recreational drug use, fitting in with the nightlife vibe. In the midst of music and lights, funky balls provide a tactile experience that adds to the fun. Besides leisure, they are also used for stress relief and concentration.

Nightlife

Laughing gas, found in funky balls, has many industrial uses too. It is used to make whipped cream fluffy and as part of airbags in cars. It is also used as a legal drug for anesthesia in some places. But when it comes to recreational drug use, laughing gas is used differently. People often use small tanks of nitrous oxide, connecting them to containers like whipped cream cans. They fill balloons with the gas and then inhale it for its effects.

History

Nitrous oxide used in 1830.

In its early days, the term "funky balls" was not used. Instead, people recognized them by the nitrous oxide gas they contained. Nitrous oxide, or N2O, has been around since the late 18th century. Back then, it was sometimes used for fun and later for medical purposes like anesthesia, sedation, and pain relief.

Initially, nitrous oxide was known as laughing gas. It was discovered by English chemist Joseph Priestley in 1772. Sir Humphry Davy later found out it could be used as an anesthetic in the early 19th century. He experimented with inhaling it and saw it could relieve pain and make people feel happy.

Horace Wells under nitrous oxide (1844)

By the mid-19th century, nitrous oxide became popular for making people laugh and for its pain-relieving effects. Dentists started using it because it could numb pain. Throughout the 20th century, doctors used it a lot during surgeries, childbirth, and dental work because it was safe and worked well as an anesthetic.

Despite its medical uses, people still used nitrous oxide for fun. They would inhale it from balloons at parties and festivals because it made them feel happy. But this recreational use caused worries about health problems and addiction.

To address these worries, many countries made rules to control how nitrous oxide is sold and used, especially for fun, to reduce health risks and addiction.

Ingredient Composition

Nitrous oxide

The main ingredient in funky balls is laughing gas, also known as nitrous oxide (N2O). This gas is made up of two nitrogen (N) atoms bonded to one oxygen (O) atom. Sometimes, manufacturers might add flavorings or scents to make the experience more enjoyable.

Manufacturing Process

Balloon and gas tank.

Funky balls are usually made from strong and flexible materials like latex rubber or silicone, which are safe for containing gasses like nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide is typically made by heating solid ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3), a chemical used in fertilizers and explosives. When heated, ammonium nitrate breaks down into nitrous oxide gas and water vapor.

To make nitrous oxide, solid ammonium nitrate is dissolved in water to make a concentrated solution. This solution is then heated in a special container, causing it to break down into nitrous oxide gas and water vapor. The gases are then cooled and cleaned to remove any remaining water vapor, impurities, or contaminants.

After cleaning, the nitrous oxide gas is compressed into tanks for storage and distribution. Throughout the manufacturing process, strict quality control measures are followed to ensure the purity and safety of the nitrous oxide. Typically, nitrous oxide is stored in small gas tanks.

Physical and Chemical Characteristics

Physical Characteristics

Laughing gas balloons usually have a round or oval shape, depending on how they are inflated and the pressure inside. They are often made from soft latex rubber or silicone, which makes them easy to inflate and handle. They come in different sizes, ranging from a few inches to several inches in diameter. Smaller balloons are used for inhaling directly, while larger ones are used for events or providing nitrous oxide for medical or industrial use. They come in various colors, including white, blue, red, yellow, and bright fluorescent colors. The surface of laughing gas balloons is usually smooth and may have decorations, images, text, or patterns depending on their purpose and design.

Chemical Characteristics

Funky balls mainly contain nitrous oxide (N2O), which is a gas that does not have any color or smell at room temperature. Sometimes, manufacturers might add flavors or scents to make the experience better. When you inhale nitrous oxide directly from a funky ball, you might taste a slightly sweet flavor because of the gas itself. But the added flavors or scents can vary depending on the product.

Health Effects

Laughing gas, also known as Nitrous Oxide, is a colorless and odorless gas classified as a "volatile substance" that affects the central nervous system when inhaled.

Immediate Effects

When inhaled, laughing gas causes quick feelings of relaxation, reduced anxiety, and increased happiness. Users often feel euphoric and may experience intense, uncontrollable laughter shortly after inhaling. However, inhaling too much laughing gas can lead to various immediate hazards, such as reduced vision, impaired hearing, and short-term euphoria. Higher doses can cause loss of consciousness, abnormal heart rhythms, low blood pressure, seizures, tremors, or fainting. Inhaling laughing gas directly from balloons can also cause extreme coldness and numbness in the nose, lips, and throat, as well as potential lung damage from the high pressure of the gas.

Long-Term Effects

Regular and prolonged use of laughing gas can lead to severe nerve damage, cardiovascular issues, and brain suppression. It can also result in addiction, vitamin deficiency, anemia, paralysis, and difficulty walking. Long-term use of laughing gas may lead to programmed cell death and demyelinating neurological disorders, which affect the protective covering of nerves.

In summary, while laughing gas may induce short-term feelings of euphoria, its long-term misuse can have serious and potentially life-threatening consequences for both physical and mental health.

Society and Culture

A Vietnamese youth inhales a balloon filled with laughing gas at a nightclub in Hanoi.

The trend of using funky balls, which involves inhaling nitrous oxide from balloons, has become increasingly popular in certain social circles and among young adults. This trend is commonly seen at parties, music festivals, and in nightlife scenes.

In Thailand, the use of laughing gas balloons containing N2O gas first emerged around 2013, starting with low-priced offerings along Bangkok's Khao San Road. These balloons soon became available in bars and nightclubs, spreading throughout Thailand and into other Southeast Asian countries. It is expected that this trend will also gain traction in Laos, especially with the influx of Thai tourists.

In Vietnam, the use of laughing gas as a recreational substance began in the 2000s due to its affordability. Now, funky balls are popular among younger people and are seen as trendy. They are widely available in bars, pubs, and even online for home delivery. This trend is most noticeable in urban areas and social gatherings frequented by young adults.

Bans and Legal Status

Funky balls, particularly popular in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam for recreational use, have come under scrutiny and bans due to health concerns. Authorities in these regions are worried about the risks associated with inhaling the gas from these balloons, leading to regulations to limit their use. Vietnam has not officially banned the use of N2O gas, but the government is considering stricter measures to control its recreational use.

In 2021, Thailand banned funky balls after discovering they could deprive users of oxygen, posing serious health risks. The Thai Food and Drug Administration warned against their use and distribution, with penalties for violators. Despite the ban, there have been reports of funky balls resurfacing in areas like Khao San Road in 2024, catering especially to foreign visitors.

In Thailand, funky balls are not considered illegal drugs but are used legally for anesthesia. However, people need permission from health authorities to use or sell them, ensuring they are used safely and legally.