Teens are increasingly using Galaxy Gas to get high, fueled by a growing trend on social media platforms like TikTok. The product, which contains nitrous oxide—commonly known as laughing gas—was originally designed for culinary purposes, typically to create whipped cream. Galaxy Gas is packaged in stainless-steel cartridges, which release pure nitrous oxide when no ingredient is present.
What is Galaxy Gas?
Galaxy Gas is a food-grade nitrous oxide product packaged in stainless steel canisters or tanks equipped with an aerosol nozzle. While its intended use is for flavor infusion in culinary applications, such as whipped cream, its misuse has led to its popularity as a recreational substance among young people.
Why People Use Galaxy Gas?
Huffing nitrous oxide from whipped cream chargers—known as whippets, whippits, and other names like nangs, nos, nozz, and balloons—is not new. Its appeal is in the quick, intense high it provides with minimal effort. It’s easy to buy, discreet to use, and requires no complex setup, making it popular at raves, music festivals, and now on social media.
According to a 2018 study, nitrous oxide misuse has been “rapidly rising” in the United States and the United Kingdom. In Britain, it was the second-most abused substance among people aged 16 to 24 in 2020, just behind cannabis. Spikes in use have also been reported in the Netherlands, with more young people showing up at hospitals with neurological issues linked to nitrous oxide abuse.
— Cxpium (@copiumx) September 15, 2024
TikTok Trend: Why Galaxy Gas Became a Teen Obsession
Social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and X have made Galaxy Gas a trending product for teens, with videos of nitrous oxide misuse racking up hundreds of thousands of views and encouraging dangerous challenges.
The trend reportedly began with a self-proclaimed Atlanta, Georgia influencer. In a video with nearly 7 million views on X, he inhales Galaxy Gas inside a restaurant and introduces himself as “Lil-T Man” in a comically deep voice. This sparked a wave of TikTokkers reenacting his video, inhaling the gas to mimic his altered voice and making light of the effects.
Galaxy Gas’s colorful packaging and fruity flavors make it more appealing to teens, creating a false sense of safety and making it seem like a harmless novelty.
Singer SZA has also voiced concerns about the trend, specifically calling attention to its impact on Black youth and questioning why such dangerous products are being aggressively marketed with childlike designs.
According to the latest National Drug Strategy Household Survey, the number of people who have used inhalants grew by 5.6 percent between 2022 and 2023, and nitrous oxide is now one of the top two most common inhalants. Teens aged 16 and 17 are the primary users, according to The Well by Northwell, making it clear that this growing trend is not just another social media fad—it’s a significant public health issue.
The Effects of Inhaling Galaxy Gas
Does Galaxy Gas get you high? Yes, inhaling nitrous oxide from Galaxy Gas canisters produces immediate effects, including:
- Euphoria and intense feelings of pleasure
- Distorted sound and visual perception
- Dizziness, loss of coordination, and impaired motor skills
- Dissociation and a sense of detachment from reality
- Slurred speech and difficulty concentrating
- Nausea, vomiting, and severe headaches
- Ringing in the ears(tinnitus)
The high from inhaling Galaxy Gas is short-lived, typically lasting a few minutes, which often leads users to inhale multiple times, increasing the risk of severe oxygen deprivation and long-term damage.
How Galaxy Gas Misuse on TikTok Puts Teens at Risk
The original purpose of nitrous oxide is for medical use, such as relaxing patients during dental procedures. In medical settings, it’s usually administered slowly and combined with oxygen to prevent oxygen deprivation. When inhaled from Galaxy Gas canisters, however, the pure nitrous oxide replaces the oxygen in the body, leading to a sudden drop in oxygen levels. This can result in Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome, whether it’s your first time using whippets it or you’re a regular user.
Immediate and Long-Term Health Risks
Inhaling pure nitrous oxide directly can lead to:
- Loss of consciousness
- Heart attack
- Seizures
- Death
What Does Galaxy Gas Do To Your Brain?
Prolonged Nitrous Oxide misuse can cause:
- Brain damage
- Nerve damage
- Spinal cord degeneration, which can result in paraplegia
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Psychosis, memory loss, and depression
Despite the harmful side effects, teens are trying to go viral by posting videos of their dangerous whippet abuse on TikTok, with some claiming that huffing Galaxy Gas has sent them to the hospital.
Galaxy Gas on Reddit: Normalizing Misuse
Discussions on Reddit highlight how Galaxy Gas misuse has become normalized, with users openly debating its effects and comparing it to other brands like Isi, MarzWhip and Best Whip. Many users praise Galaxy Gas for its potency and availability on platforms like Amazon and at local smoke shops. Some state that “Galaxy Gas is stronger than most brands, but it’s also the easiest to get.”
Even with reports of seizures and severe side effects, the conversations often shift to finding the best high rather than discussing safety. The focus on comparisons makes the behavior seem routine, treating Galaxy Gas misuse like selecting a preferred flavor rather than acknowledging the risks.
Is Galaxy Gas Legal?
In states like New York, buyers must be at least 21 to purchase Galaxy Gas nitrous oxide canisters. However, prior to recent regulations, these products were available with few restrictions through retailers like Amazon and Walmart. While nitrous oxide is not classified as a controlled substance in most areas, using it recreationally is illegal in many states, such as Texas, where possession with intent to misuse can result in fines or imprisonment.
Despite these laws, nitrous oxide products like Galaxy Gas tanks are still widely sold under the guise of culinary use. The lack of stringent regulations allows products like Galaxy Gas to be sold at vape shops, smoke shops, and online retailers, making it easy for teens to access them.
What Parents Need to Know About Teens Misusing Galaxy Gas on TikTok
Recognizing Signs of Galaxy Gas Abuse in Teens
Recognizing nitrous oxide misuse in teens can be challenging since the signs are often subtle. Whippets like Galaxy Gas can lead to severe neurological damage, including spinal cord degeneration, which may result in paraplegia. This condition is irreversible and often difficult to detect until it’s too late.
Behavioral Changes to Watch For: Sudden drop in grades, mood swings, social withdrawal
Physical Symptoms: Numbness or tingling, unexplained muscle weakness, early signs of nerve damage (neuropathy)
Potential Indicators in Their Environment: Presence of canisters or whipped cream chargers hidden in their room
How to Talk to Your Teen About Galaxy Gas and Nitrous Oxide Abuse
Start by having direct, honest conversations about the dangers of Galaxy Gas. Emphasize that what they see online doesn’t show the full reality—serious risks like brain damage, paralysis, and even death are often ignored in TikTok videos. Instead of a one-time lecture, keep the dialogue ongoing to help reinforce the message and create space for questions, making it less likely for teens to experiment.
Company Response: Sales Halt and Public Concern
“Galaxy Gas products are for responsible culinary use only, and we are deeply concerned about the recent news reports and social media posts of individuals illegally misusing our products,” the company stated. In response, Galaxy Gas has paused all sales of its whipped cream chargers.
However, despite the temporary sales halt, Galaxy Gas and similar nitrous oxide products are still widely available. How much is Galaxy Gas? Prices range from $30 to $60 for smaller chargers, with larger tanks reaching up to $200 depending on size and brand. Where to buy Galaxy Gas? These products remain easy to purchase at smoke shops, vape stores, and online platforms, making restrictions ineffective at stopping misuse.
