ParappaTheRappa, I'm not sure that nitrous does act on the locus coeruleus. In fact, I believe nitrous, despite being heavily understudied for such a common drug, has recently been discovered to affect norepinephrine levels in the spinal column (resulting in the analgesic effect). I have a book published by Yale Press about Dr. Beddoes and his early experimentation with the gas; I'll have to take another look at that.
I only meant that is where the sense of novelty itself originates. Maybe the drugs have action at other neural sites than those we've come to agree they definitely hit? But that's just speculation.
I've come to appreciate nitrous as a flavor. Bad vibes just melt away off a nang. Although I've heard you can build concentrations in your lungs by sipping oxygen and letting the heavier gas accumulate, which would allow hallucinogenic and anesthetic effect.
Also, many years ago at the first rave I had ever been to, I sat in a circle with balloons being passed around. One man finished his hit, then fished out, and when he came to, he said he left his body and saw himself sitting in the circle.
That always stuck with me. Like, how the hell is it possible to see yourself from a third person perspective? That's incredible.
