Nitrogen Narcosis

diving · deep water · brain

Feels like being drunk. When divers go really deep, the nitrogen in their air starts to make them feel fuzzy, confused, and slow in their thinking, just like someone who drank too much. It's completely reversible - the feeling goes away as soon as they come back to shallower water.

Kicks in at depth. Nitrogen narcosis usually doesn't happen in shallow dives, but once you go deeper than about 98 feet, it starts to become noticeable. The deeper you go, the stronger the effect becomes.

Pressure makes it worse. When gases are pushed by pressure, they become more powerful at affecting your body. High pressure nitrogen acts like an anesthetic (a numbing gas), similar to what doctors use in hospitals, making your mind feel slower and sleepier.

Your brain feels slow. Nitrogen narcosis makes it hard to think clearly, remember things, and move precisely. Divers might become confused about how deep they are or forget their training, which is why it's so important for deep divers to be well-prepared.