A young Australian man is speaking out about the dangers of nitrous oxide, commonly known as 'nangs,' after his life spiraled out of control due to addiction. Sam Bramman, now 22, was introduced to nangs at 19, believing the legal and easily accessible canisters were harmless.
Within weeks of his first use in 2023, Bramman found himself increasingly dependent, consuming up to 50 canisters a day within six months. This heavy usage led to drug-induced psychosis, a period he described as deeply frightening, characterized by paranoia and erratic behavior. His parents found him on the Gold Coast, where he was admitted to a psychiatric ward for two months.
"I hit rock bottom - it was a really quick spiral," Bramman told the Daily Mail. "I had paranoid thoughts - I thought the police were after me and was writing on my walls at home."
After his release, Bramman spent another 18 months recovering, undergoing treatment to wean him off antipsychotic medications and struggling with basic daily tasks. This experience prompted him to found the No2Nangs campaign to raise awareness about the risks associated with nitrous oxide.
"Not a lot of people know about the risks," he said.
Bramman's advocacy efforts included a 300km run from Sydney to Canberra, aimed at urging stricter government regulations. His campaign gained traction, leading to new laws in New South Wales that took effect on November 5. These regulations prohibit the sale of larger nitrous oxide cylinders to individuals under 18 and limit retail sales of smaller canisters to 250g per customer per day. Larger canisters (over 10g) are now banned from retail sale entirely.
"The prevalence of nitrous oxide abuse, or nangs, is escalating in our community, and it is having a profound impact on the health of our young people," NSW Health Minister Ryan Park stated. The Australian Capital Territory government has indicated it plans to implement similar reforms within the next year.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration is also considering proposals to re-classify non-therapeutic nitrous oxide, which could lead to larger imported tanks being intercepted by customs. A decision is expected in February.
Bramman continues to lobby politicians and speak at schools and universities, sharing his story in the hope of preventing others from experiencing similar struggles. "If these laws help one young person avoid the path that I went down, it will be worth it," he said. "I hope it's an inspiring story and message to other people trapped in any drug addiction that there is a way out."