Teens Are Inhaling ‘Galaxy Gas’ to Get High, but What Is It?

• Teenagers inhale nitrous oxide canisters sold under the Galaxy Gas brand
• Brightly colored containers are used to make fluffy whipped creams, but can cause “life-threatening health complications” when inhaled
• The manufacturer paused direct sales on its website, and TikTok proactively banned related search terms, redirecting users to a substance support page

Teenagers get high by inhaling canisters of nitrous oxide – especially one called Galaxy Gas.

A legitimate use of the gas, produced by a culinary supply company, is to make whipped cream and other aerated foods and beverages. It is packed in brightly designed containers, also called chargers.

Nitrous oxide is commonly used as an inhaled sedative in medical procedures, the Cleveland Clinic explains. When used safely and under medical supervision, it can help the patient feel calm and relaxed.

However, nitrous oxide can also cause euphoric excitement when inhaled, as the National Library of Medicine points out, leading to its nickname “laughing gas.”

Stock image of a Galaxy Gas tank.

galaxy gas

Using nitrous oxide outside of a medical setting, the Cleveland Clinic says, can lead to long-term “serious and potentially life-threatening health complications” that include nerve damage, heart attack, low oxygen and low blood pressure.

And those who use it regularly are more prone to depression, psychosis and memory loss.

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Gas became so popular that TikTok banned the search term “Galaxy Gas”. When searching, users are directed to a warning page that says, “Be informed and aware. Some substances can be dangerous if used or abused. Learn more about how drugs, alcohol, and tobacco can affect your mind, body, and behavior. ”

They are then redirected to a page on how to find substance abuse support. The platform also banned the term “nitrous oxide”.

As a TikTok spokesperson told PEOPLE, the platform does not allow videos that depict drug use — and that includes nitrous oxide.

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The Galaxy Gas website states: “It is illegal to intentionally inhale our product. By purchasing from this website, you agree to our Terms of Service. WE DO NOT DISLIKE THE ILLEGAL USE OF OUR PRODUCTS. You must be over 21 years of age to browse/order from this website. WARNING if used improperly or by means other than intended, such as inhalation, may result in hypoxia. DO NOT INHALE.”

Visitors to the Galaxy Gas website are also greeted by a pop-up that repeats this warning: “It is unlawful for a person to purchase products containing nitrous oxide for any purpose not provided herein and authorized by law. By purchasing products containing nitrous oxide, you expressly agree and warrant that your possession and use will be lawful and strictly limited to the culinary preparation of food for lawful purposes and for no other purpose. You accept and agree to this [is] a material condition for the purchase of products containing nitrogen oxide. Intentional misuse or inhalation of the contents is prohibited and poses a serious health hazard.”

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Inhaling commercially available high-speed chemicals is extremely dangerous. Last spring, a teenager died in Australia from “chroming” — known in America as “huffing” — chemicals from a can of deodorant spray.

And an 11-year-old boy went into cardiac arrest and died in the UK after “chroming” at a night out in March.

Stock image of a nitrous oxide tank.

Getty

And while the misuse of household canisters — or unmarked silver nitrogen cartridges, called “whippets” — is nothing new, Galaxy Gas’ brightly colored packaging and playful design have raised concerns among their target audience.

“Sorry to be old and boring, but… Is no one going to talk about how galactic gas came out of nowhere and is MASSIVELY sold to black kids?” SZA wrote in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “The government does NOTHING? .. since when we sell [whippets] in the store???? Somebody protect the children.”

Galaxy Gas has stopped selling their creamer chargers on their website, The New York Times reports. PEOPLE has reached out to Galaxy Gas for comment.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education