I've been told nitrogen narcosis is very pleasant and makes the diver feel intoxicated. I was wondering if it's a similar feeling to nitrous oxide? If not, what does it feel like (is it comparible to a known drug)?
OK, yes, it is true that nitrogen narcosis CAN be very pleasant and make you feel intoxicated, but this is not ALWAYS the case.
What nitrogen narcosis is basically, is the result of gasses "dissolving into nerve membranes and causing temporary disruption in nerve transmissions".
Atleast that is the "technical" way of saying it according to wikipedia.
What it really means is that the deeper down you go when you scuba dive, the more pressure is exerted on your body...this is called "ambient pressure"...so, because of this ambient pressure, when your breathing in all the gasses from your scuba tank(mainly oxygen I hope but possibly many others such as nitrogen, hydrogen, and maybe even trace amounts of argon, krypton, or xenon).....the more pressure your under(the deeper you are), the easier it is for these gases to permiate your nerve membranes, causing many different types of "high's"(not the best word I was looking for).
For example, when you first begin to feel the effects of nitrogen narcosis you might feel like you took a little xanax and your anxiety is gone(obviously this is very similar to using nitrous oxide at the dentist). If you go a little deeper you might start to feel like you took some more benzo's(xanax, klonopin, whatever), or it might feeel like your a little drunk, or BOTH! But, depending on the situation and the person diving you wont necessarily have these"positive" effects....your experience might make you feel nautious and scared....it all depends.
At even deeper levels you start to lose your ability to think rationally, focus, etc....Sometimes your fingers even go numb...but thats probably a sign that you should slowly be heading back to the surface.
Basically, yes, you can get a decent high off of nitrogen narcosis, and yes, it can be VERY similar to nitrous oxide or benzodiazepines in its effects.....but you need to be VERY careful, because remember, you are deep underwater and there are countless things that could go wrong leading to your deep, dark, MURKY,
DEATH!!!
If you have any questions at all please let me know and I will be glad to answer them......
Im also an expert on opiates and opiate related subjects
Be safe,
jamesBrown