Michigan is seeing a dramatic boost in emergency room visits due to nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas,” abuse.

The state says ER visits due to nitrous oxide misuse increased by 757% from 2019 to 2023.

Hailey Kehus deals with emerging drugs for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and says there are several misconceptions around the use of nitrous oxide.

“There’s this false perception that it’s a safe or legal high when that’s really not the case, or harm is associated with its misuse,” Kehus said. “Also because of its other commercial uses, it’s very widely available.”

Kehus says nitrous oxide can be bought online or at smoke shops, coming in a variety of flavors and often marketed to young people. But she says it’s no laughing matter.