CONTENT WARNING: This article discusses problematic drug use and addiction.

Sam Bramman was 19-years-old, recently graduated from high school and enjoying the freedom of being a young adult when he was offered a nang at a house party.

Nangs contain nitrous oxide (also known as laughing gas), which is an emerging drug of concern.

“I was under the assumption nitrous oxide was harmless, giving a short-lived high – a party drug,” Sam said.

“So I decided to try it.”

Upon receiving that first hit, Sam found he couldn’t stop thinking about the high.

Within a matter of weeks he became fully dependent on nangs, inhaling them in secret and while he was driving.

“I was trapped by the cloud of addiction, I thought what I was doing was ok,” Sam said.

Short-term use of nangs can cause dizziness, frostbite, loss of coordination and impaired judgement.

Long-term use or heavy usage can lead to neurotoxicity (due to related vitamin B12 deficiency), psychosis, hypoxia and death.

Six months into his addiction, Sam was trapped in a drug-induced psychosis.

He became paranoid, rejected his family and friends as they questioned his behaviour and thought the police were after him.

“I took off to the Gold Coast in my car – sleep deprived and using nangs,” Sam said.

“Once there, there were moments where I was walking around the streets screaming, not making much sense, walking barefoot with bleeding feet, using a charging cable as a belt.

“I really was not well.”

Sam remained in touch with his family over the phone during this time and his parents flew to the Gold Coast to find him.

They took an agitated and aggressive Sam to Byron Bay Hospital, where he needed to be sedated before ending up as an involuntary patient in a psychiatric ward at Tweed Heads.

He spent two months in the hospital, getting sober and onto medication.

“In that time, I was still really unwell, but the cloud of addiction cleared up,” Sam said.

Upon his release, he spent the next 12 to 18 months as “a shell of a human”, barely able to get out of bed.

“[I had been] such a ‘normal’ high school graduate and then my life – in such a short period of time – turned absolutely horrible,” Sam said.

As he continued to recover, Sam went back to the gym. He was then inspired to run from Sydney to Canberra to raise awareness and fuel law reform to make it harder for people to access nitrous oxide.

Sam’s especially concerned about how easily anyone can order “huge, fire extinguisher-sized nangs” online with same-day delivery.

“I have the passion to try all that I can to make sure other people don’t go down that path,” he said.

When Sam arrived in Canberra, he also spoke with Health Minister Dr Marisa Paterson about his concerns.

The ACT Government recently committed to introducing law reform to reduce the sale of nitrous oxide to Canberra’s minors.

This was also a recommendation from the coroner following the nangs-related death of a teenager in 2023.

The latest University of NSW Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) report found use of larger bottles, cylinders and tanks to access nitrous oxide (61 per cent) had exceeded the use of traditional smaller bulbs (55 per cent) for the first time since monitoring began in 2023.

“This change raises concerns about the potential for higher levels of exposure and an increased risk of neurotoxicity among people who use the drug,” the report stated.

Both large and small containers were commonly purchased from corner and convenience stores (40 per cent), mainly between 10 pm and 5 am.

In 2026, about one in ten (13 per cent) of adult participants who reported recent nitrous oxide use also reported experiencing persistent neurological symptoms.

“Understanding whether the shift towards larger cylinders has contributed to increased levels of harm is therefore an important public health priority,” the report stated.

Only four per cent of participants reported difficulty accessing nitrous oxide.

The ACT’s laws are expected to target minors.

Now 22 years old, Sam would prefer nang usage to be restricted for all age groups.

But he said making it difficult for children to access nitrous oxide was a good place to start.

“It’s important that no-one falls into the trap of it, but especially the younger generation as it’s really bad for brain development,” Sam said.

“Restricting supply is one of the most practical ways to reduce the serious neurological damage, vitamin B12 deficiency and impaired-driving risks we are seeing.”

As for young people considering using nitrous oxide, Sam urged them to at least do the research before putting a new substance into their bodies.

“Don’t just listen to posts on social media and what your friends say,” he said.

“There’s plenty of research out there on every drug, look at what you’re actually using.

“Looking back, I’m so forever thankful that my parents were there for me …. even when I was pushing them away.

“If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here.”

If this article has raised concerns for you about drug usage, help is available. The National and Other Drugs Hotline is available on 1800 250 185 for confidential support, including information, referral and telephone counselling for people struggling with addiction.

If you suspect someone is experiencing an overdose, call Triple Zero (000).