氮醉是在进行潜水或深潜运动时常用的名词。

一般而言，水压会随着潜水深度而增加，当潜水员处于高水压环境（约3至4大气压力以上），肺内氮气会因高压缘故，而对潜水员产生麻醉作用。于浅水处可能状况轻微，随着下潜深度增加而症状加剧。于18至24公尺以内的水深，大多数的潜水员都不会感到氮醉症状。

氮气并不参与各细胞成分的化学过程，但它在血液中的分压达到一定的高度，则可大量溶解于脂肪组织和神经组织中，引起神经纤维的传导和中枢突触传递受阻，神经元的兴奋性不能正常发生，使人体各种机能减弱，处于抑制状态，严重会引致死亡。

Narcosis while diving (also known as nitrogen narcosis, inert gas narcosis, raptures of the deep, Martini effect), is a reversible alteration in consciousness that occurs while diving at depth. It is caused by the anesthetic effect of certain gases at high pressure. The Greek word ναρκωσις (narcosis) is derived from narke, "temporary decline or loss of senses and movement, numbness", a term used by Homer and Hippocrates. Narcosis produces a state similar to drunkenness (alcohol intoxication), or nitrous oxide inhalation. It can occur during shallow dives, but does not usually become noticeable at depths less than 30 meters (100 ft).