Nitric Oxide vs. Nitrous Oxide: Understanding the Difference

No, nitric oxide is not laughing gas. Laughing gas is the common name for nitrous oxide (N₂O), a colourless, non-flammable gas that is used as an anaesthetic and pain reliever. Nitric oxide (NO) is a different chemical compound that plays an important role in many biological processes, such as regulating blood pressure and immune responses.