Question: I've heard that nitrogen is used in some medications or medical compounds. What kind of reaction does the body have to this kind of medication and does it give any easy visible benefits?

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  1. Nitrogen gas doesn’t actually do much — it is a large part of the atmosphere, and we breathe it in and out without difficulty. But there are lots of medicines that nitrogen is a part of. But it’s not easy to predict what role “nitrogen” will play apart from all the other atoms it is combined with. Medicine is a lot more complicated than just knowing whether or not nitrogen is in something — you have to know a lot more chemistry and biology. And even then, some individuals respond to medicine differently than others. Compared to that, physics is incredibly simple!

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  2. @awesomecreeper488: Interesting question, I’m not sure!

    I do know that Nitrogen is a really common element – it’s in the air we breathe and lots of other everyday things.

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  3. Nitrogen atoms are certainly in lots of things, including medicines. Some common nitrogen-containing medicines are antihistamines, sedatives, decongestants, antidepressants, painkillers and antibiotics. Even things like nicotine (tobacco) and caffeine (coffee) have nitrogen in them, as do illicit drugs like cocaine, heroin and amphetamines. So the reactions in the body are varied, depending on what is being treated, but the benefits are obvious (if not always visible). If you have a headache and take aspirin then you can’t see the effect but you can sure feel it.

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