Laughing Gas, Whippets, Galaxy Gas: The Inhaled Dangers of Abusing Nitrous Oxide

Context:

Around 53 million individuals in the past year have misused an illegal drug of some type. With the number of illegal substances on the market, the ways to abuse one of these substances are numerous. As the years go on, an old drug has retaken a place in the most abused drugs in the world. This drug, first introduced in the late 1700s, is Whippets, also known as Galaxy Gas, Laughing Gas, Nangs, and Nitro. Nitrous Oxide abuse resurfaced in the 2010’s and has spiked in 2024 due to the momentum gained from TikTok trends of teenagers inhaling the canisters. In the article from WebMD by Alexandra Benisek and Kathryn Whitbourne, they describe how, “Whippets received their name from the whipped-cream aerosol canisters that people open to misuse the gas inside.” This misuse has led to companies creating canisters for the sole purpose of inhaling nitrous oxide. These canisters can be found in major retailers, including Amazon and Walmart locations, making the dangerous drug easily accessible for consumers regardless of age. There is no current regulation banning this type of product from being purchased, and this needs to be brought to the attention of both state and federal governments to impose some regulations for their sale. Some of these products have even been made to be flavored and targeted for the inappropriate consumption of getting a temporary “high.” The ease for accessibility of this drug adds to the danger, and how anyone can obtain one.

Whipped cream canisters are made with “chargers” that contain the nitrous oxide that is used to propel the whipped cream from the canister. These chargers are also commonly called “crackers.” Cleveland Clinic also wrote an article on the use of Whippets where they wrote, “People who use Whippets inhale the gas from those chargers. Some people inhale the gas directly. Others fill something like a balloon with the nitrous oxide gas and inhale it from the balloon.” Nitrous Oxide abuse is extremely common in countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries mainly within Europe. If travelling to one of these countries, it may be common to see teenagers and young adults outside with balloons and canisters using Galaxy Gas. Yet, various countries have tried to stop the spread of Nitro and have made it illegal to sell and consume nitrous oxide for recreational purposes. The problem of getting Galaxy Gas banned is due to the literal use of nitrous oxide for a variety of reasons. This problem of the abuse of the drug has gotten to extreme lengths, and the halt of the recreational use of nitrous oxide is a work in progress.

Now that we know what Whippets are, we will discuss the uses. The intended uses of nitrous oxide are for sedation to help people relax during dentistry and other medical procedures, to increase the power of car engines, and, of course, to create whipped cream and cooking spray. Whippets are used, recreationally, to obtain a short-lived “high” by the consumer, where they are filled with feelings of euphoria and relaxation. Whippets don't create a physical craving, but they do create a psychological craving after repeated use. Whippets cause a decrease in oxygen and an increase in carbon dioxide, which messes with the body’s central nervous system and is the reason for muscle relaxation and a “loopy” mental state that is sought after by consumers. Galaxy Gas and Whippets are a dangerous drug that should be avoided by all costs, and more people should know what they truly are and the risks.

The Early Start to Nitrous Oxide:

The abuse of nitrous oxide is not a new form of inhalant, but actually first began in the 18th century with chemists. Nitrous oxide has sedative and pain-preventing properties that first caught the eye of Joseph Priestly. According to the American Addiction Center, “Joseph Priestley, an English chemist, and multidisciplinary scholar, first synthesized nitrous oxide, which has the chemical formula N2O, in 1772. After Priestley’s initial discovery of this substance, fellow chemist Humphry Davy performed various tests on the substance, including breathing the gas alone, with oxygen, and with air.” This jumpstarted the use of nitrous oxide being marketed as a “laughing gas.” After this, N20 was used as an anesthetic within dentistry in the mid-1860s to relieve pain from tooth extractions and other various painful dental procedures at the time. Then, shifting to the 1880’s, nitrous oxide was used in childbirth. Now, N2O is inhaled through nitrous oxide-filled balloons at festivals and clubs as a quick and easily accessible party drug. Due to nitrous oxide having a legitimate use, it is difficult to be controlled by the Controlled Substance Act or the Drug Enforcement Agency.

Short-term/immediate effects and long-term damage:

The recreational use of Whippets are a short-lived rush of a euphoric sensation, happiness, excitement, and more. Furthermore, Galaxy Gas causes pain and sound to become severely dulled. With this, many other short-term effects follow including the dissociation of the mind from the body (a sense of floating), changes in thoughts, feelings and perceptions, and visual and auditory hallucinations (of which are more likely to occur when mixed with other drugs). Yet, even with these seemingly appealing effects, inhaling nitrous oxide can also cause frostbite due to the intensely cold gas, ruptures in lung tissue from direct inhaling, and cold burns to the hands. Whippets also impact the brain through interference with nerve communication, message blockage, and the induction of pleasure. With nerve communication, the inhaling of nitrous oxide disrupts communication with nerve cells in the brain, which modifies the process of signaling in the brain, and causes perception, mood, and consciousness changes. Nitrous oxide also inhibits messages sent from the brain to the rest of the body, leading to losses of sensation and motor control temporarily. Additionally, Nitrous Oxide triggers the release of pleasure and reward neurotransmitters, like dopamine, and as a result induces intense euphoria with N20 use. Long-term, Galaxy Gas can cause extreme impacts to physical and psychological health. According to Sharp Health, “Whippet abuse can interfere with brain development, affecting cognitive abilities and decision-making skills. These risks are particularly concerning for adolescents, as their brains are still developing and more vulnerable to the negative effects of substances. Long-term use can also lead to neurological damage, respiratory problems and cardiovascular complications.” Other long-term effects of Whippets and inhaling nitrous oxide include Vitamin B-12 deficiency, nerve damage, cognitive impairment, respiratory complications, and dependency and addiction on the drugs. Vitamin B-12 is essential to your body’s health. One of Vitamin B12’s main jobs in the body is to maintain the myelin sheath. The myelin sheath insulates and protects nerves in the brain and spinal cord, so you can assume that a deficiency in Vitamin B-12 causes severe, if not deadly, risks including Paralysis. These issues can lead to even more severe problems long-term including Brain Hypoxia (oxygen deprivation), legal consequences, and (in severe cases) death. It is best to avoid inhaling nitrous oxide in all cases, as the risks far outweigh the benefits.

How to get help:

If you are struggling with the use of Whippets, know that you are not alone, and that, with early treatment, the effects of nitrous oxide may be reversible. According to the Yale School of Medicine, “the clinicians began the repletion process, treating the patient with a seven-day course of intramuscular vitamin B12. He then received weekly injections for one month and, going forward, will need lifelong monthly vitamin B12 repletion. Physical and occupational therapy are required as well.” Serious neurologic complications can be reversed if prompt treatment is sought. There is a solution and help if you need it, the substance hotline is 855-485-2310, and the crisis and suicide hotline is 988. The Genesis House, powered by the United Recovery Project, is another source if you need someone to talk to; their number is (877-709-0413). Remember, there are always people to help you, and you are important!!! 🙂🤗

Sources Cited:

1. Benisek, Alexandra, and Kathryn Whitbourne. “What Are Whippets Drugs? Know All about the Dangers.” WebMD.

2. Cleveland Clinic. “What to Know about Whippets and Galaxy Gas.” Cleveland Clinic.

3. Hodgman-Korth, Madeline. “Nitrous Oxide Abuse: Side Effects & Treatment for Whippets.” American Addiction Centers.

4. “Nitrous Oxide – Uses, Impacts and Risks.” Alcohol and Drug Foundation.

5. “How Whippets Affect the Body: Understanding the Risks and Effects.” Buckeye Recovery Network.

6. Health News Team. “How Risky Is Nitrous Oxide (Whippets)?: Sharp Healthcare.” Sharp HealthCare.

7. Backman, Isabella. “Nitrous Oxide Effects Are Reversible with Early Treatment.” Yale School of Medicine.