The Growing Concern Over Galaxy Gas and Nitrous Oxide Abuse
September 26, 2024 – Nitrous oxide, more commonly known as laughing gas, has been misused for decades as a recreational drug. Now, the latest trend surrounding nitrous oxide has a new name that’s making waves on social media: Galaxy Gas. Videos of young people inhaling this gas from whipped cream chargers have gone viral across platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter), raising alarms among health experts and parents alike.
The company behind Galaxy Gas has paused its sales after these videos gained massive attention, sparking fresh concerns about the safety of nitrous oxide, its appeal to youth, and the potential long-term effects of inhalant abuse.
What Is Galaxy Gas?
Galaxy Gas is primarily marketed as a vendor selling whipped cream chargers, small pressurized canisters filled with nitrous oxide. These are perfectly legal when used for their intended purpose, which is turning liquid cream into foam for beverages and desserts. However, the company has come under scrutiny after videos surfaced online showing people using their flavored canisters for inhalation.
The nitrous oxide canisters, marketed under playful names like “strawberry cream” and “vanilla cupcake,” have attracted the attention of a younger audience, particularly through social media platforms. This has prompted TikTok to block searches for “Galaxy Gas” and for the company to temporarily halt sales of their products.
Why Is Nitrous Oxide Dangerous?
While nitrous oxide is a common anesthetic used safely in medical settings like dental offices, inhaling the gas recreationally can be dangerous. According to Dr. Purva Grover, medical director of pediatric emergency departments at Cleveland Clinic Children’s, nitrous oxide can cause a range of short-term side effects including:
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Impaired judgment
More severe health risks come with long-term abuse, such as neurological problems and cardiovascular issues. Chronic use can impair the body’s ability to process vitamin B12, leading to potential nerve damage and other health complications.
How Popular Is Galaxy Gas?
The misuse of nitrous oxide as a recreational drug isn’t new—it’s often referred to as whippets in party culture—but Galaxy Gas has brought renewed attention to the issue. Social media platforms are filled with videos of young people inhaling the gas from Galaxy Gas canisters, showing off different flavors and colorful designs that appeal to youth.
One video on X has amassed over 28 million views, and similar content has gone viral on TikTok and YouTube, leading to a sharp increase in searches for “Galaxy Gas” over the last two months, according to Google Trends. The sudden popularity of these videos has raised concerns about nitrous oxide’s accessibility and the potential for widespread misuse among young people.
Social Media’s Role in the Spread of Galaxy Gas
Platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Reddit have become hubs for sharing and promoting videos of nitrous oxide misuse. Despite efforts from TikTok to remove content and block searches related to “Galaxy Gas,” many videos remain on the platform, some accumulating hundreds of thousands of views.
TikTok has redirected users searching for Galaxy Gas to resources about substance use and addiction, but this hasn’t entirely stopped the content from spreading. Additionally, videos showing nitrous oxide inhalation are still available on YouTube and X, and can be easily found through simple searches.
In some cases, canisters of Galaxy Gas have even appeared as virtual accessories in popular youth-targeted gaming platforms like Roblox, raising even more concern about the product’s reach and influence.
Galaxy Gas: Packaging That Appeals to Young People
Another major concern regarding Galaxy Gas is the childlike packaging and branding of the product. The colorful designs and flavored canisters may be creating a false sense of safety among young people. Musician SZA even voiced her concerns on X, pointing out that the design seemed to be marketed toward children, especially Black youth.
The playful branding and novelty flavors have led health professionals like Dr. Gail Saltz, a psychoanalyst and associate attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, to worry that the packaging normalizes nitrous oxide misuse. According to Dr. Saltz, the packaging and social media marketing give the impression that the product is safe and fun, which could entice underage users to try it without understanding the risks.
Is Nitrous Oxide Addictive?
There is growing evidence that nitrous oxide may have addictive properties, though there is no definitive scientific consensus. A 2024 article published in the journal Addiction suggested that nitrous oxide could be habit-forming, especially among people who use it frequently for its euphoric effects.
As concerns mount about nitrous oxide’s potential for abuse, many health professionals are calling for more research into its long-term effects, particularly regarding its neurological impact and addiction potential.
How Has Galaxy Gas Responded?
Following the viral spread of videos misusing their products, Galaxy Gas issued a statement expressing concern about the illegal use of their whipped cream chargers. A spokeswoman for the company said, “We are deeply concerned about the recent news reports and social media posts of individuals illegally misusing our products. Both our terms of use and conditions of sale strictly prohibit unlawful use, misuse, or appeal to children.”
As of September 2024, the company has paused sales of its canisters, though Galaxy Gas products are still available on some wholesale websites and in smoke shops. Additionally, other brands of nitrous oxide canisters are widely available for purchase from major retailers like Amazon and Walmart, often selling for less than $40 per canister.
Legislation and Efforts to Curb Nitrous Oxide Abuse
In the United States, nitrous oxide is legal to sell for culinary purposes, which makes it challenging to regulate. However, some states have taken steps to limit access, particularly for young people. For example, in 2021, New York passed a law that prohibits individuals under the age of 21 from purchasing whipped cream chargers containing nitrous oxide.
As the popularity of Galaxy Gas continues to rise, lawmakers and public health advocates are calling for tighter regulations to curb misuse. Some are pushing for more widespread age restrictions on nitrous oxide purchases and increased monitoring of how the product is marketed.
What Parents and Guardians Should Know
With the rise of Galaxy Gas and similar products, it’s important for parents and guardians to be aware of the dangers associated with nitrous oxide misuse. The colorful packaging and fun flavors might appeal to teens, but the potential health risks are significant.
Open communication is key—discuss the dangers of inhalant abuse with young people and monitor their behavior on social media. Keep an eye out for suspicious activity, such as the appearance of whipped cream chargers or unusual canisters in their possession.
Conclusion: A Growing Problem That Needs Attention
The sudden rise in popularity of Galaxy Gas has sparked a renewed conversation about the dangers of nitrous oxide misuse. While nitrous oxide has legitimate uses in culinary and medical settings, its recreational use can be harmful and, in some cases, fatal. The combination of social media exposure, colorful packaging, and easy access to the product has created a perfect storm for potential abuse, particularly among young people.
As lawmakers and health experts work to address the issue, parents, educators, and communities must stay informed about the risks and take proactive steps to prevent nitrous oxide misuse.
