With many questions surrounding Demi Moore's hospitalization earlier this week, media outlets are claiming the actress reportedly had a seizure after nitrous oxide inhalation at her home. Known commonly as doing "whip-its," the activity generally involves inhaling from a canister filled with the gas for a temporary high.

The intoxication effects from nitrous oxide are similar to alcohol, but adverse reactions can include nausea, dizzyness and fainting. The seizure reportedly experienced by Moore may have stemmed from a lack of oxygen to the brain, or possible side effects from interactions with other stimulants.

There's also been a correlation found between vitamin B12 deficiencies and nitrous oxide, where neurological issues can develop when such shortages are found (or alternatively, longer-term users have been found to be lacking in the essential vitamin, which impacts DNA and cell growth).

Nitrous oxide is best known as the "laughing gas" used by dentists during difficult procedures, but the gas is also used in food containers, including whipped cream and cooking spray, to help get the contents out of the can. For years, whip-its have been done by underage teens at concerts and various other gatherings for a quick, cheap high, and are not a usual drug for women of Moore's age and social status.

According to the Daily Mail:

Insiders have also told [People magazine] that Demi was troubled and not looking after herself long before Monday night's hospital dash. They say the problems began as she endured her break-up with [estranged husband Ashton] Kutcher. 'Really, it was over the last year her friends saw a change,' a source told the magazine. 'She wasn't sleeping as well, didn't seem to be eating and looked really gaunt.'

Moore's representatives have not commented on the most recent reports, sticking only with their original statement released on Tuesday:

"Because of the stresses in her life right now, Demi has chosen to seek professional assistance to treat her exhaustion and improve her overall health. She looks forward to getting well and is grateful for the support of her family and friends." The rep added that there was no further information available at present time.

PHOTOS: Ashton and Demi in happier times

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• The Urban Zen Stephan Weiss Apple Awards

  NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 09: Actors Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore attend The Urban Zen Stephan Weiss Apple Awards at Urban Zen on June 9, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

• "Real Men Don't Buy Girls" Launch Party

  NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 14: Actors Ashten Kutcher and Demi Moore speak to the media at the launch party for 'Real Men Don't Buy Girls' at Steven Alan Annex on April 14, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

• 13th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards With Presenting Sponsor Lacoste - Show

  BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 22: Actors Ashton Kutcher (L) and Demi Moore speak onstage at the 13th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards with presenting sponsor Lacoste held at The Beverly Hilton hotel on February 22, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for CDG)

• Audi Celebrates Super Bowl 2011 At The Audi Forum Dallas

  DALLAS - FEBRUARY 04: Actor Ashton Kutcher (L) and actress Demi Moore attend the Super Bowl 2011 Audi Celebration at the Audi Forum Dallas on February 4, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Audi)

• The Cinema Society With DKNY Jeans & DeLeon Tequila Host A Screening Of "No Strings Attached" - After Party

  NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 20: Actors Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore attend the after party for the Cinema Society with DKNY Jeans & DeLeon Tequila screening of 'No Strings Attached' at the Soho Grand Hotel on January 20, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

• Premiere Of Paramount Pictures' "No Strings Attached" - Arrivals

  WESTWOOD, CA - JANUARY 11: Actors Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore arrive at Paramount Pictures' 'No Strings Attached' premiere at Regency Village Theater on on January 11, 2011 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

• Premiere Of Paramount Pictures' "No Strings Attached" - Arrivals

  WESTWOOD, CA - JANUARY 11: Actors Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore arrive at Paramount Pictures' 'No Strings Attached' premiere at Regency Village Theater on January 11, 2011 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

• US actress Demi Moore and husband actor

  US actress Demi Moore and husband actor Ashton Kutcher cuddle during the launch of a UN fund aimed at helping fight against human trafficking at the United Nations headquarters in New York, November 4, 2011. US actors Demi Moore and husband Ashton Kutcher launched the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons, especially women and children, as part of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), aimed to provide humanitarian, legal and financial help to victims of human trafficking. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel Dunand (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)

• Charity Gala With Demi Moore And Ashton Kutcher

  MOSCOW - OCTOBER 30: Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore attend the Charity Gala at The Ritz-Carlton on October 30, 2010 in Moscow, Russia. Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher were accessorized by Cartier, one of the sponsors of the charity gala. (Photo by Victor Boyko/Getty Images)

• PlusCity Charity Gala With Demi Moore And Ashton Kutcher

  PASCHING, AUSTRIA - OCTOBER 29: Austrian TV host Vera Russwurm, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher attend the photo call for their Charity Gala at PlusCity on October 29, 2010 in Pasching near Linz, Austria. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

• PlusCity Charity Gala With Demi Moore And Ashton Kutcher

  PASCHING, AUSTRIA - OCTOBER 29: Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher attend the photo call for their Charity Gala at PlusCity on October 29, 2010 in Pasching near Linz, Austria. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

• PlusCity Charity Gala With Demi Moore And Ashton Kutcher

  PASCHING, AUSTRIA - OCTOBER 29: Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher attend the photo call for their Charity Gala at PlusCity on October 29, 2010 in Pasching near Linz, Austria. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

• Screening Of Lionsgate's "Killers" - Arrivals

  HOLLYWOOD - JUNE 01: Actors Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore arrive to the premiere of Lionsgate's 'Killers' held at ArcLight Cinema's Cinerama Dome on June 1, 2010 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

• Actor Ashton Kutcher and his wife actres

  Actor Ashton Kutcher and his wife actress Demi Moore arrive at the premiere of 'Killers' in Hollywood, California on June 1, 2010. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)

• Actors Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore, co

  Actors Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore, co-founders of the DNA Foundation, launch the 'Real Men Don't Buy Girls' campaign during the annual Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) September 23, 2010 in New York . The sixth annual meeting of the CGI gathers prominent individuals in politics, business, science, academics, religion and entertainment to discuss global issues such as climate change and the reconstruction of Haiti. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

• Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore attend Tim

  Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore attend Time's 100 most influential people in the world gala at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center on May 4, 2010. AFP PHOTO /TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

• Premiere Of Roadside Attractions & Echo Lake Entertainment's "The Joneses"

  LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 08: Actors Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore arrive at Roadside Attractions & Echo Lake Entertainment's premiere of 'The Joneses' held at Arclight Hollywood Cinema on April 8, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

• The Cinema Society & Donna Karan Host A Screening Of "Happy Tears"

  NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 16: Actors Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore attend a screening of 'Happy Tears' hosted by the Cinema Society and Donna Karan at The Museum of Modern Art on February 16, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

• Hollywood Domino's 3rd Annual Pre-Oscar Hollywood Gala - Arrivals

  BEVERLY HILLS, CA - MARCH 04: Actress Demi Moore and actor Ashton Kutcher arrive at the Hollywood Domino's 3rd annual pre-Oscar Hollywood gala on March 4, 2010 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

• Valentines Day - European Premiere - Inside Arrivals

  LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: (UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS OUT) Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore attend the European premiere of Valentines Day held at the Odeon Leicester Square on February 11, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images)

• "The Joneses" Screening - 2009 Toronto International Film Festival

  TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 13: Actor Ashton Kutcher (L) and wife actress Demi Moore arrive at the 'The Joneses' screening during the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival held at the Visa Screening Room at the Elgin Theatre on September 13, 2009 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

• Entertainment Industry Foundation Kicks Off Volunteer Initiatives

  NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 10: Actors Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore attend the Entertainment Industry Foundation's volunteer initiatives kick off in Duffy Square on September 10, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

• Los Angeles Screening Of Anchor Bay Films' "Spread" - Arrivals

  HOLLYWOOD - AUGUST 03: Actor/producer Ashton Kutcher (L) and actress Demi Moore arrive at the premiere of Anchor Bay Films' 'Spread' at ArcLight Hollywood on August 3, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images)

• Las Vegas Screening Of Anchor Bay Films' "Spread" - Red Carpet

  LAS VEGAS - AUGUST 05: Actor Ashton Kutcher (L) and wife actress Demi Moore arrive at the Las Vegas screening of Anchor Bay Films' 'Spread' held at the Brenden Theatres inside the Palms Casino Resort on August 5, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Anchor Bay )

• 59th Berlin Film Festival - 'Happy Tears' Premiere

  BERLIN - FEBRUARY 11: Ashton Kutcher and actress Demi Moore attend the premiere for 'Happy Tears' as part of the 59th Berlin Film Festival at the Berlinale Palast on February 11, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

• US actors Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore

  US actors Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore pose on the red carpet prior to the premiere of the film 'Happy Tears' presented in competition of the 59th Berlinale Film Festival on February 11, 2009 in Berlin. The Berlinale is taking place from February 5 to 15, 2009 with 18 productions vying for the coveted Golden Bear for best picture to be awarded February 14. AFP PHOTO DDP/ STEFFI LOOS GERMANY OUT (Photo credit should read MICHAEL GOTTSCHALK/AFP/Getty Images)

• "Spread" - 2009 Sundance Premiere

  PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 17: Actors Ashton Kutcher (L) and Demi Moore attend the premiere of 'Spread' held at the Eccles Theatre during the 2009 Sundance Film Festival on January 17, 2009 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

• US actors Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore

  US actors Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore pose on the red carpet prior to the premiere of the film 'Happy Tears' presented in competition of the 59th Berlinale Film Festival on February 11, 2009 in Berlin. The Berlinale is taking place from February 5 to 15, 2009 with 18 productions vying for the coveted Golden Bear for best picture to be awarded February 14. AFP PHOTO JOHN MACDOUGALL (Photo credit should read JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/Getty Images)

• Actors Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore arr

  Actors Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore arrive at the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 11, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. AFP PHOTO/ROBYN BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

• Charity Meet And Greet With Olympic Gold Medalist Shawn Johnson

  IOWA CITY, IA - DECEMBER 12: Olympic medalist Shawn Johnson, (L) and actors Ashton Kutcher (C) and wife Demi Moore (R) watch the second half of the Iowa-Iowa State college basketball game on December 12, 2008 at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. Johnson and Kutcher, both from Iowa, were in Iowa City raising money for flood relief charities in Eastern Iowa after a 500 year flood devastated the area. (Photo by David Greedy/Getty Images)

• UK Film Premiere: 'Flawless' - Inside Arrivals

  LONDON - NOVEMBER 26: (UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS OUT) Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore attend the UK charity premiere of 'Flawless' at the Odeon Covent Garden, Covent Garden on November 26, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images)

• "What Happens In Vegas" Japan Premiere

  TOKYO - AUGUST 06: Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore attend 'What Happens In Vegas' Japan Premiere at Marunouchi My Plaza on August 6, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan. The film will open on August 16 in Japan. (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images)

• Premiere Of Sony Pictures' "House Bunny" - Arrivals

  WESTWOOD, CA - AUGUST 20: Actor Ashton Kutcher and actress Demi Moore arrive at Columbia Pictures' premiere of 'House Bunny' held at the Mann Village Theater on August 20, 2008 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

• Around Bryant Park - Day Four

  NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 08: Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher pose for a photo in Bryant Park during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2008 on September 8, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for IMG)

• Philadelphia Eagles v New York Giants

  EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 30: Actor Ashton Kutcher and wife actress Demi Moore stand on the sidelines before the start of the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants at Giants Stadium on September 30, 2007 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

• Gucci Hosts Reception To Benefit UNICEF

  NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 06: Actors Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore attends a reception to benefit UNICEF hosted by Gucci during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2008 at The United Nations on February 6, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for IMG)

• "What Happens In Vegas" Japan Premiere

  TOKYO - AUGUST 06: Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore attend 'What Happens In Vegas' Japan Premiere at Marunouchi My Plaza on August 6, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan. The film will open on August 16 in Japan. (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images)

• LA Premiere Of MGM's "Mr. Brooks " - Arrivals

  LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 22: Actor Ashton Kutcher (C), actress Demi Moore (R) and her daughter Tallulah Belle Willis arrive to the Los Angeles premiere of 'Mr. Brooks' at Grauman's Chinese Theater on May 22, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

• Party To Celebrate Laura Day At One Sunset

  LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 19: Actors Ashton Kutcher (L) and Demi Moore arrive at the party to celebrate 'The Circle' and 'Welcome To Your Crisis' author Laura Day at ONE Sunset restaurant on June 19, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images)

• Diesel - Front Row - MBFW Spring 08

  NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 08: Actor Ashton Kutcher and actress Demi Moore arrive at the Diesel 2008 Fashion Show at The Promenade in Bryant Park during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2008 on September 8, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Loud/Getty Images for IMG)