

GasGasGas - Anaesthetic Science for Anaesthesia!
Dr Gas - Anaesthesia Education
An Anaesthesia Podcast focusing on the science knowledge anaesthetists should know. We track the UK Primary FRCA Curriculum.> GasGasGas will fit into a corner of your day, delivering a treatise on a drug, concept or practice critical to the knowledge required to pass the FRCA Primary Exam!
> There are naturally tangents, as hearing a word vomit of data with no joy is not the aim of Dr gas!
> This is relevant to anyone in the world interested in these pharmacological, physiological, clinical, physical and chemical concepts,
> Notes on https:/gasgasgas.uk
> Sponsored by Teach Me Anaesthetics SBA Resource
All content is my personal opinion, not medical advice and is never a substitute for formal education / training.
© GasGasGas – The FRCA Primary Anaesthetic Sciences Podcast 2025
> There are naturally tangents, as hearing a word vomit of data with no joy is not the aim of Dr gas!
> This is relevant to anyone in the world interested in these pharmacological, physiological, clinical, physical and chemical concepts,
> Notes on https:/gasgasgas.uk
> Sponsored by Teach Me Anaesthetics SBA Resource
All content is my personal opinion, not medical advice and is never a substitute for formal education / training.
© GasGasGas – The FRCA Primary Anaesthetic Sciences Podcast 2025
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 23, 2026 • 43min
A not so brief jaunt with Oxygen, toxicity, exploding cylinders + heli-ox vs sulphur hexafluoride gas.
The ubiquity of oxygen in the curriculum is directly correlated with its importance! One of many episodes that focus on the facets o knowledge needed to understand how oxygen does its thing.
Today, when too much oxygen is a bad thing, how it is obtained, transported in hospitals and the negative implications of its use + some history that I know you all deeply desire!
Show notes at: https://gasgasgas.uk/oxygen-for-the-frca-primary/
================================================
GasGasGas - Covering Anaesthetic Science for Anaesthetists!
Sponsored by Teach me Anaesthetics
Check out the Teach Me Anaesthetics 1100+ SBA Resource [affiliate]
Contributions to keep the lamps lit here
================================================
Dr Gas Lurks On:
BlueSky: Gas Gas Gas (@gasgasgaspodcast.bsky.social)
X / Twitter: GasGasGasFRCA (@GasGasGasFRCA) / X
FaceBook: Facebook - Gas Gas Gas
Website: www.gasgasgas.uk
================================================
Disclaimer / Sage Advice
All content is educational in nature and never intended to be acted upon.
This information is not a suitable substitute for medical advice.
Whilst the body of medical knowledge is slowly shifting and expanding, there are often differing numerics and notions for these core concepts, as such, accuracy of the content is not guaranteed.
Where deemed sensible by the author, numerical ranges for technical data and references where reasonable will be present.
================================================
Music Credit: Streets of Sant Ivo - Mid-Air Machine - Free music archive
Sassy Jazzy - La Faena - Free music archive
================================================
"This podcast and all its content, including but not limited to audio recordings, show notes, artwork, and branding elements, are protected by copyright laws. All rights reserved. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted without prior written permission from the copyright holder."

7 snips
Jan 9, 2026 • 38min
Nitrous Oxide: Anaesthetic Mechanisms, B12 Toxicity and Safe Storage
Dive into the fascinating world of nitrous oxide and its declining role in anesthesia. Discover how this once-popular agent interacts with vitamin B12 and its implications for health. Explore the environmental impact of nitrous oxide and what makes its storage tricky. Learn about its mechanisms in the body, including NMDA antagonism, and the potential risks associated with recreational use. Finally, uncover the importance of understanding its effects on recovery and clinical usage in modern medicine.

Dec 29, 2025 • 58min
Ether, Enflurane and Explosions for 'Victorian' Anaesthetists
Discover the fascinating history of Ether and its role in early anaesthesia. Uncover the explosive risks associated with anaesthetic agents and learn about the chemistry behind combustion and fire safety in the operating theatre. Explore how to manage airway fires step-by-step and the consequences of detonation on patients and equipment. Plus, hear personal anecdotes that highlight the importance of safety when using volatile substances. This eye-opening discussion brings a thrilling edge to anaesthetic science!

Dec 12, 2025 • 36min
Desflurane Anaesthesia: Tec6 Vaporiser & Clinical non-Applications
Dive into the fascinating world of desflurane, a volatile agent that faces decommissioning due to its environmental impact. Explore its chemistry, boiling point, and clinical implications like onset and dosing. Discover the mechanisms of action and the systemic effects it can have, from vasodilation to respiratory changes. Get insights into vaporizers, their components, and the importance of temperature compensation. Plus, learn about the use and monitoring of these devices to ensure safety in clinical settings.

4 snips
Nov 28, 2025 • 22min
Halothane: Historic Volatile Anaesthetic & Hepatotoxicity for FRCA
Dive into the world of halothane, a game-changer in anaesthesia that replaced explosive agents of the past. Discover its intriguing chemistry and the hazards associated with its decomposition. Learn about halothane’s cardiovascular and respiratory effects, including arrhythmia risks and impacts on blood solubility. Unpack the potential for liver distress, distinguishing between various types of halothane hepatitis. This engaging discussion wraps up with crucial clinical implications for practice.

5 snips
Nov 14, 2025 • 32min
Sevoflurane: Volatile Anaesthetic for Inhalational Induction & Maintenance
Dive into the fascinating world of Sevoflurane, a go-to volatile anesthetic! Discover its smooth induction properties and mild environmental impact compared to other agents. Learn about its unique breakdown products and the challenges of stability in storage. The podcast also tackles intriguing topics like its cardiovascular effects, respiratory benefits, and how it interacts at the molecular level. Plus, find out about its history, pharmacokinetics, and clinical implications, making it vital for any aspiring anesthetist!

Oct 31, 2025 • 27min
Isoflurane: Halogenated Volatile Anaesthetic Agent Pharmacology
Discover the fascinating world of isoflurane, an underrated volatile anesthetic. Learn about its unique chemical properties and how it compares to its flashier counterparts. The discussion dives into its mechanisms, including GABA potentiation, and explores its cardiovascular and respiratory effects. Dr. Gas Lurks also highlights dosage concerns and how Dalton's law relates to anesthetic use. Plus, get insights into isoflurane's pharmacokinetics and safety profile. Perfect for anyone keen on mastering the art of anesthesia!

Oct 17, 2025 • 32min
Introducing Volatile Anaesthetic Agents! MAC, Blood-Gas Solubility & the 'Ideal Agent question'
Discover the fascinating world of volatile anaesthetic agents and their unique properties. Explore critical temperatures and learn how they differentiate gases from vapours. Understand saturated vapour pressure with a creative thought experiment. Delve into the significance of boiling points and the need for specific vapourisers. Uncover the intricacies of blood-gas and oil-gas solubility and how they relate to anaesthetic potency. Gain insights into the ideal characteristics of a volatile agent and the underlying mechanisms of action.

Oct 13, 2025 • 29min
Opioids Quiz: FRCA Primary Exam Viva Practice & Comparison Tables
This quiz dives deep into the fascinating world of opioids. Discover how opioids work at a cellular level and explore different receptor subtypes. Learn why diamorphine is both rapid and potent, and understand the significance of pKa for drug onset. The podcast also compares the onset of alfentanil and fentanyl while discussing the critical topic of context-sensitive half-times. Key insights into morphine metabolism and the risks of respiratory depression add to the rich educational content.

Oct 3, 2025 • 25min
Clonidine: Alpha-2 Agonists + Mechanism of Action
Explore the fascinating world of clonidine, an alpha-2 partial agonist with a rich history and diverse applications in anesthesia. Learn about its various forms, from tablets to patches, and its crucial role in pain management and sedation. Discover dosing intricacies, off-label uses, and the potential risks of withdrawal. Delve into the cardiovascular effects, CNS interactions, and unique pharmacokinetics that make this drug both versatile and complex. This discussion promises to expand your medical knowledge and understanding!


