According to a new trend, teenagers have begun inhaling canisters of nitrous oxide, specifically Galaxy Gas, in search of euphoria. Galaxy Gas, which was originally created for culinary purposes, is usually packaged in brightly colored canisters known as chargers.
The nitrous oxide gas is used to make whipped cream and other airy food and beverage products. According to the Cleveland Clinic, in medical treatments, nitrous oxide is used as a sedative tool. This is because nitrous oxide can make a patient feel calm and at ease when used under a doctor’s supervision.
Consequently, the National Library of Medicine has given the gas the “laughing gas” alias for its euphoric side effect. As a result of its sedative side effects and euphoric feeling, some teenagers have begun consuming it for recreational purposes.
However, recreational use of nitrous oxide can lead to severe health risks, and for more frequent users, the risk includes depression, psychosis, and amnesia.
Do You Need an ID To Buy Galaxy Gas?
One of the popular search phrases on TikTok is Galaxy Gas, which is a brand of a canister of nitrous gas. Due to the number of search requests it generated, the phrase was banned on the social media platform.
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According to the search results, you will be sent to a website with a warning saying, “Be informed and aware. Some substances can be dangerous when used or misused. Learn more about how drugs, alcohol, and tobacco can affect your mind, body, and behavior.”
Subsequently, you will be taken to a page explaining where to get help for substance misuse. Additionally, TikTok has prohibited using the phrase “nitrous oxide” on the platform. According to a TikTok spokesperson, videos depicting drug usage of nitrous oxide are prohibited on the site.
Galaxy Gas’s website states, “It is illegal to purposely inhale our product. By shopping on this website, you agree to our terms of service. We do not condone illegal use of our products.”
The site adds, “You must be over the age of 21 to view/order from this website. Warning: if used improperly or in ways not intended to be used, such as inhaling, it can lead to hypoxia. Do not inhale.”
In April 2024, a teenager in Australia passed away after inhaling chemicals from a container of spray deodorant. Additionally, in March 2024, an 11-year-old kid in the United Kingdom inhaled “chromed” at a sleepover, resulting in cardiac arrest and his death.
The mishandling of domestic canisters, or unmarked silver nitrous cartridges known as “whippets,” is not new.
What Happens When You Smoke Galaxy Gas?
There are serious health concerns associated with using Galaxy Gas for recreational purposes. Although inhaling Galaxy Gas can produce a short-lived, euphoric high, it poses serious health risks to users, especially teenagers who may not understand the consequences.
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However, the effects of nitrous oxide on the human body are not at all harmless. This gas can produce hypoxia, or oxygen deficiency, which can result in lightheadedness, fainting, and even unconsciousness. Additionally, repetitive or prolonged use can harm the brain and nervous system, resulting in memory, coordination, and focus issues.
Constant usage of nitrous gas inhalants causes severe side health effects like sudden death, heart problems, and nerve damage. In addition to users being more prone to accidents and injuries, whippets also cause frostbite on the lips, nose, or neck.
Teens are particularly exposed to these risks since nitrous oxide might have detrimental effects on them due to their developing brains. Additionally, whipped cream canisters, easily found in stores and homes, contribute to the trend and increase misuse chances.
What Are the Ingredients in Galaxy Gas?
Galaxy Gas has stopped selling the canisters as a precaution despite claiming they are not for personal use. The charger, a stainless-steel cartridge packed with nitrous oxide, turns the cream and other ingredients into a flavorful whipped topping.
Most people often wonder about the “How-Tos” of using Galaxy Gas; it is consumed by inhaling, either through the mouth or the nose. However, the charger only distributes nitrous oxide when it is empty.
Nitrous oxide is a multifunctional gas that is mainly found in dental offices and hospitals. It is frequently utilized as a potent anesthetic. When a patient is experiencing severe pain following surgery, dentists and surgeons frequently give it to them; even pregnant women have found relief from it.
However, because of the eye-catching packaging and lighthearted style in which Galaxy Gas is packaged, people have begun questioning who their intended market might be. As a result of the severe backlash, Galaxy Gas no longer offers its whipped cream chargers for sale on its website.
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Is Galaxy Gas Actually for Whipped Cream?
Despite their similarities, Galaxy gas and nitrogen gas are two distinct gases, even though they both include nitrogen. While two nitrogen atoms form nitrogen, nitrous oxide comprises two nitrogen and one oxygen molecule.
In recent years, the beverage industry has used it increasingly frequently to produce juice, wine, and beer. In addition to being used to dispense beer and clean strainers during the wine-making process, the gas’s main purpose is to stop oxidation, which can compromise the beverage’s flavor and quality.
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