Galaxy Gas: What it is, what risks it carries and more

CNN
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A popular method for some young people to get high quickly is the misuse of laughing gas — most recently, nitrous oxide from products sold by Galaxy Gas.

The products are the Atlanta-based company’s whipped cream cartridges, which are designed exclusively for culinary applications, including cold brew coffees, desserts, sauces and more. The whipped cream cartridges are stainless steel cartridges filled with nitrous oxide, which, when dispensed, help whipped cream and other ingredients transform into a whipped state, according to the company. However, without a food ingredient in the container, dispensing the cartridge only emits nitrous oxide.

Nitrous oxide abuse — or “doing whippets,” as older people might call it — is nothing new, said Dr. Gail Saltz, an assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College at Cornell University and a psychiatrist at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

But the practice is “growing rapidly” in the United States and the United Kingdom, according to a March 2018 study. There has also been a rise in the number of young people abusing laughing gas: among 16- to 24-year-olds in the U.K. — where possession is now illegal — nitrous oxide use was the second most commonly used drug in 2020, after marijuana. And increases in use in the Netherlands have been linked to a rise in the number of young people going to hospital with neurological complaints.

Saltz says the teenage years are often a time of heightened curiosity, peer pressure, the desire to experiment or do things considered unacceptable, the desire to be included, mood issues, and other stressors that teens may seek escape from.

“All of these things can motivate a teenager to try a substance that gets them high,” she added. And “the path to exposure is obviously greatly expanded by social media.”

TikTok, for example, is now trying to ban users from viewing any content that results from searching for “Galaxy Gas” on its platform, directing users to helplines and resources about the effects of substance abuse. But videos that bypass censorship by omitting some of the letters of the tag have millions of views. (It’s worth noting that some of the social media videos tagged with “Galaxy Gas” feature other brands of nitrous oxide products.)

And while the products themselves aren’t harmful, the availability of different flavors can be tempting for kids, Saltz says.

A Galaxy Gas spokesman said in a statement that the illegal misuse of products containing nitrous oxide poses a serious health risk.

“Galaxy Gas products are intended for responsible culinary use only and we are deeply concerned by recent press reports and social media posts of individuals illegally misusing our products,” a company spokesperson added. As a result, Galaxy Gas has suspended all sales of its whipped cream chargers at this time.

“Both our terms of use and terms of sale strictly prohibit unauthorized use, misuse or appeal to children,” the spokesperson said. “If you or someone you know is abusing a nitrous oxide product, please call or text Crisis Lifeline 988 for help connecting you with substance abuse resources.”

Here’s what parents need to know about the risks, the signs your child is reaching for these products, and how to talk to your child about substance abuse and social media trends.

Nitrous oxide was originally intended for use in medical settings, such as to sedate patients before dental procedures, Saltz said.

In this context, “it’s usually administered as a combination of oxygen and nitrous oxide, not pure nitrous oxide, and it’s regulated within a setting,” Saltz said. “It’s administered in a slow form … so it doesn’t destroy the oxygen supply that you would otherwise get. And it’s not rushed, either.”

But inhaling rapid doses of pure nitrous oxide essentially replaces oxygen intake, which can lead to loss of consciousness, heart attack, malaise, loss of coordination, headaches, nausea, vomiting and seizures, Saltz said. Other risks include brain damage, anemia, nerve damage, paralysis, vitamin B12 deficiency and nitrous oxide addiction.

Abuse of nitrous oxide can also be fatal, and the dose of exposure needed to produce these effects depends on the amount of nitrous oxide and the individual.

Given the risks, it is important for caregivers to have open and ongoing conversations with children about the inappropriate use of nitrous oxide and other substances, Saltz said.

“Most parents just think that their child doesn’t know or won’t find out because that’s what they want,” Saltz added. “But the reality is that when a child is a teenager, chances are they’re exposed to all this and they know and someone in their environment is involved in it. So it’s naive to think, ‘If I don’t say anything, they won’t find out and they won’t stumble upon it.’”

Saltz says the best approach is to talk to kids before they hit puberty, rather than waiting until after high school (as is common), which will discourage them from abusing substances.

Always start with questions rather than a lecture, which can cause kids to stop listening, she said. They could include: Have you heard about this? What do you know, think and feel about it? What do you see on social media about it? Do any of your friends do this?

The conversation should be mutually participatory, but you should share your concerns and answers to the same questions, Saltz said. Remind them that videos of teens having fun with laughing gas are just one piece of the puzzle — they don’t show the harm these activities sometimes cause, and just because these effects don’t affect everyone doesn’t mean they won’t. Encourage your child to come to you before they try something they see online.

Make it clear that you are always available to talk or answer questions, and if they or their friends are in a difficult situation, you will always help first and ask questions later, Saltz said.

Signs that your child is abusing nitrous oxide may include empty containers in the room, fits of laughter, an inexplicable or bizarre euphoria, not knowing where money went and being around children who exhibit similar problems, Saltz said. Other potential indicators include a decline in academic or athletic performance or an unusual preference for being alone.

If your child innocently asks if the family can buy a container of whipped cream, or you notice that your container is missing, these are also warning signs.

“If you think your child is taking anything regularly,” she added, “taking them to see a (mental health) professional is a good idea — someone who has experience with substance use or abuse, because just asking your child to stop may not be possible.”