<p>The pharmacological&nbsp;mechanism of action of N2O in medicine is not fully known. However, it has been shown to directly modulate a broad range of&nbsp;ligand-gated ion channels, and this likely plays a major role in many of its effects. It moderately blocks NMDA and&nbsp;&beta;2-subunit-containing&nbsp;nACh channels, weakly inhibits AMPA, kainate, GABAC, and&nbsp;5-HT3&nbsp;receptors, and slightly potentiates GABAA&nbsp;and&nbsp;glycine receptors. It also has been shown to activate&nbsp;two-pore-domain&nbsp;K+&nbsp;channels. While N2O affects quite a few ion channels, its anaesthetic, hallucinogenic, and&nbsp;euphoriant&nbsp;effects are likely caused predominantly, or fully, via inhibition of NMDA receptor-mediated currents. In addition to its effects on ion channels, N2O&nbsp;may act to imitate&nbsp;nitric oxide in the central nervous system, and this may be related to its analgesic and anxiolytic properties.</p>