Obviously, it is not so easy to get pure oxygen from air - and air being necessary to life cannot be...

1. If pure oxygen gets you high how is air legal?
Obviously, it is not so easy to get pure oxygen from air - and air being necessary to life cannot be
made illegal.
1) Pure oxygen can under certain circumstances lead to oxygen poisoning. Part of the symptoms is
euphoria. However, some other symptoms are much less fun.
"Oxygen Poisoning at 90 ft (27 m) in the Dry in 36 Subjects in Order of Performance - K W Donald
Exposure (mins.) Num. of Subjects Symptoms
96 1 Prolonged dazzle; severe spasmodic vomiting
60-69 3 Severe lip-twitching; Euphoria; Nausea and vertigo; arm twitch
50-55 4 Severe lip-twitching; Dazzle; Blubbering of lips; fell asleep; Dazed
31-35 4 Nausea, vertigo, lip-twitching; Convulsed
21-30 6 Convulsed; Drowsiness; Severe lip-twitching; epigastric aura; twitch L arm; amnesia
16-20 8 Convulsed; Vertigo and severe lip twitching; epigastric aura; spasmodic respiration;
11-15 4 Inspiratory predominance; lip-twitching and syncope; Nausea and confusion
6-10 6 Dazed and lip-twitching; paraesthesiae; vertigo; "Diaphragmatic spasm"; Severe nausea"
Source and further information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygen_toxicity
2) "The human body is adapted to 21 percent oxygen,
and the blood exiting the lungs already has about 97
percent of the oxygen that it could carry bound to
hemoglobin. Having a higher oxygen fraction in the
lungs serves no purpose, and may actually be
detrimental. The medical profession warns that
individuals with respiratory diseases such as asthma
and emphysema should not inhale too much oxygen.
Higher than normal oxygen partial pressure can also
indirectly cause carbon dioxide narcosis in patients
with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The FDA warns that some flavoring methods
use oils, which if used improperly, and droplets are inhaled, might contribute to an inflammation of
the lungs. Some oxygen bar companies offer safe water-based aromas for flavoring in order to

2. maintain compliance and stay within FDA guidelines.
Also, concentrated oxygen is a flame accelerant which should be kept away from cigarettes and
other sources of ignition. Oxygen may also cause serious side effects at excessive doses. Although
the effects of oxygen toxicity at atmospheric pressure can cause lung damage, the low fraction of
oxygen (30-40%) and relatively brief exposures make pulmonary toxicity unlikely. Nevertheless, due
caution should be exercised when consuming oxygen. In the UK, the Health and Safety Executive
publishes guidance on equipment (including tubing) and on staff training, as well as warning on
potential hazards, and makes several recommendations to ensure safe practice, principally to
minimise fire risks.
Another concern is the improper maintenance of oxygen equipment. Some oxygen concentrators use
clay filters which cause micro-organisms to grow creating an additional danger that can cause lung
infections."
Source and further information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygen_bar
3) Further information:
- "Straight Dope: Does oxygen get you high?":
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-382266.html
- "Answerbag: Is it true that breathing oxygen alone, can get you high?":
http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/79299
- "Oxygen Bars: Is a Breath of Fresh Air Worth It?":
http://www.mamashealth.com/doc/oxygen.asp
- "Does oxygen get you high enough to keep you calm during a plane crash?":
http://skeptics.stackexchange.com/questions/3022/does-oxygen-get-you-high-enough-to-keep-you-cal
m-during-a-plane-crash
http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/2741588