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Despite its abundance and unlike molecular oxygen, N\n                    <jats:sub>2<\/jats:sub>\n                    has traditionally held less appeal among physiologists given its lack of reactivity and corresponding inability to support combustion or life, rendering it metabolically nugatory. The controversial application of N\n                    <jats:sub>2<\/jats:sub>\n                    asphyxiation for the inhumane purposes of human execution of convicted criminals and assisted suicide of a terminally ill patient has thrust this important gas into the scientific and public spotlight, sparking widespread condemnation. In the current review, we take an opportunity to explore the molecular bases and clinical consequences linked to the Janus\u2010faced physiology of N\n                    <jats:sub>2<\/jats:sub>\n                    to better explain its life\u2010and\u2010death qualities. We highlight the complex history that led to its discovery and the physio\u2010geochemical evolution of Earth's uniquely N\n                    <jats:sub>2<\/jats:sub>\n                    \u2010rich atmosphere, including intimate links with oxygen (O\n                    <jats:sub>2<\/jats:sub>\n                    ), another life\u2010and\u2010death homonuclear diatomic gas that preceded aerobic respiration and the emergence of complex multicellular life. Diving deep into N\n                    <jats:sub>2<\/jats:sub>\n                    \u2019s quantum state, we expose its unique physiochemical properties to better understand why this gas is metabolically inert and physiologically deadly when in excess and especially to the exclusion of O\n                    <jats:sub>2<\/jats:sub>\n                    . We apply this integrated physiological knowledge to further inform the controversial public debate and directly challenge the misconceived notion that N\n                    <jats:sub>2<\/jats:sub>\n                    gas asphyxiation offers a quick, indolent and dignified death for the inhumane purposes of human execution and assisted suicide.\n                  <\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1113\/ep092946","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,20]],"date-time":"2025-06-20T13:34:40Z","timestamp":1750426480000},"page":"270-282","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["Physiology of nitrogen: A life or death matter"],"prefix":"10.1113","volume":"111","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-0498-7095","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Damian M.","family":"Bailey","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Neurovascular Research Laboratory, Faculty of Life Sciences and Education University of South Wales  Pontypridd UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3325-6566","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Vaughan G.","family":"Macefield","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Neuroscience, School of Translational Medicine Monash University  Melbourne Victoria Australia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-2441-3793","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"David C.","family":"Poole","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Kinesiology Kansas State University  Manhattan Kansas USA"},{"name":"Department of Anatomy &amp; Physiology Kansas State University  Manhattan Kansas USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"311","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,20]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_2_13_2_1","unstructured":"Andone D. 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