Nitrogen hypoxia is described as a method intended to minimize the immediate distress of an execution, with the individual reportedly experiencing a brief sense of euphoria before losing consciousness. This perspective comes from Alexander Vetosh, a professor and Doctor of Biological Sciences at the National State University of Physical Culture, Sports and Health PF Lesgaft in St. Petersburg, who authored the book “Biological Effects of Nitrogen” and discussed these ideas publicly.
According to Vetosh, this approach could be deemed a more humane option compared with traditional methods like the electric chair. He notes that the electric chair inflicts significant physical harm, including involuntary urination and defecation, vomiting, and intense convulsions, and that these effects may persist for a prolonged period. He cautions that, unlike in cinema where a single shot to the head ends it instantly, actual outcomes often involve a longer and more painful process before death occurs.
In contrast, nitrogen hypoxia is presented as potentially less painful overall and less traumatic in its onset of death. Vetosh explains that the experience includes a calming phase that resembles euphoria, followed by a fall into sleep. He describes the body entering a state of relaxed muscles and occasional minor contractions as the process progresses toward final loss of consciousness. This sequence, he indicates, can occur with fewer visible signs of distress compared with other methods.
When evaluating different methods of execution, Vetosh contrasts nitrogen hypoxia with injection-based procedures. He concedes that injections are often viewed as more humane in some discussions, yet he points to challenges such as high costs and difficulties in obtaining necessary materials from international sources. These logistical hurdles factor into ongoing debates about which methods are practical or acceptable from ethical and practical standpoints.
Vetosh emphasizes that nitrogen hypoxia, if adopted, would involve an explicit phase of eased tension and quietude followed by muscle relaxation. He describes the process in clinical terms while acknowledging the broader moral and societal questions that surround any discussion of capital punishment. The conversation about humane execution methods extends beyond the laboratory and classroom, touching on legal, medical, and humane considerations that vary across jurisdictions and historical eras.
Regarding speculative improvements in managing anxiety or distress, Vetosh mentions that there are studies and discussions about medications that may reduce anxiety during end-of-life procedures. He notes that such findings are part of a broader exploration of how best to approach severe outcomes with an emphasis on reducing suffering, a goal that remains central to ethical debates in this field. In applying these ideas to real-world policy, scholars stress the importance of rigorous oversight, transparent standards, and ongoing assessment of both the practical and moral implications of each method.