The Dangers of Galaxy Gas: Understanding Inhalants and Nitrous Oxide

Galaxy Gas is a new topic of interest because of the way many young people are publicly misusing the products.  Galaxy Gas has become an interchangeable term for the substance it contains—nitrous oxide. Although it may seem funny and harmless, inhalation of nitrous oxide can have catastrophic physical and mental effects. Let’s unpack what misusing Galaxy Gas does and how you can receive help for inhalant abuse.

What Is Galaxy Gas?

Galaxy Gas is a brand that sells nitrous oxide for culinary purposes. They sell whipped cream chargers and dispensers that contain nitrous oxide for the purpose of adding flair to common cuisine. The addition of nitrous oxide into the dispensers creates light and airy whipped cream or mousse. Is Galaxy Gas legal? Yes, when used by people over 21 as intended for culinary purposes.

However, because nitrous oxide is an inhalational anesthetic that can create a high, people have abused Galaxy Gas’s products. Nitrous oxide, or N02, is a short-term sedative that is used as anesthesia. You may have been given this odorless gas when going for a procedure at the doctor or dentist. Yet, it’s often given at 50 percent capacity with 50 percent oxygen. Because of its low blood solubility, its effects occur quickly but also wear off soon.

Do People Misuse Galaxy Gas?

Unfortunately, people misuse Galaxy Gas’s products in order to inhale the N02. Young people are the main group misusing Galaxy Gas, as it’s easy for them to source online. Nitrous oxide canisters called “whippets” have been known to be abused recreationally as a party trick. Notably, nitrous oxide creates feelings of lightheadedness and silliness and is sometimes called “laughing gas.” But Galaxy Gas canisters are even larger than whippets and contain more of the substance.

In sum, Galaxy Gas can be used as an inhalant drug to create a high. Individuals do this by dispensing the canister directly into their mouths without adding the intended cream.

Nitrous Oxide Abuse

As mentioned, nitrous oxide has long been abused as a party drug. It’s commonly ingested by inhaling it from canisters of whipped cream. As such, the slang term “whippets” is used and has come to mean any misuse of N02. To elaborate, individuals can place the gas in emptied spray containers of whipped cream or buy professional-grade canisters like Galaxy Gas. Also, they sometimes place the gas in a balloon. Using whippets is dangerous because of the effect the drug has on the brain and body. Also, because the results are short-term, individuals can overdose by continually taking more.

Side effects and risks of misusing nitrous oxide include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Fainting
• Lung collapse
• Brain damage
• Numbness or tingling in the limbs
• Spinal cord degeneration
• Kidney damage
• Liver damage
• Tinnitus
• Muscle spasms
• Low blood pressure
• Asphyxiation
• Hypoxia
• Heart attack

Further, along with physical symptoms, using nitrous oxide recreationally can create mental damage. You put yourself at risk of developing symptoms of mental disorders or worsening a previous condition. N02 acts similarly to psychoactive drugs. Notably, it creates feelings of dissociation between the brain and the body. Thus, the individual might feel euphoric, sedated, detached from their body, or giddy.

Some of the known possible nitrous oxide side effects on the brain include:

• Poor memory
• Trouble concentrating
• Changes in emotions
• Confusion
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Hallucinations
• Hysteria
• Psychosis