“Galaxy Gas” is a new version of an old drug: nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas or by the nickname “whippets”. Marketed in colorful cylinders as whipped cream chargers, with flavors such as “mango smoothie” and “vanilla cupcake”, these pressurized nitrogen oxide products are intended to be sold to culinary purposes. Galaxy Gas is just one of many brands of nitrous oxide, and on social media the name has become a catch-all term for nitrous oxide products featured in hundreds of videos showing young people inhaling this gas to get high, with potentially dangerous consequences.
Dr. Madeline Renny, a pediatric emergency physician at Mount Sinai Health System in New York, warned that even a single use of the gas could cause significant health problems or even prove fatal.
“There can be a range of symptoms, from headaches, dizziness, palpitations, fainting and, in some cases, death,” Renny said. In the United Kingdom, the death of a student in 2023 was linked to nitrous oxide, BBC News reported.
The trend has gained popularity online in recent months, as video game streamers, influencers and musicians have featured nitrous oxide in their content. CBS News Confirmed found dozens of videos showing people inhaling nitrous oxide on TikTok, YouTube and X (formerly Twitter), with views in the hundreds of thousands. In some videos, the gas is inhaled as part of a dare or social media challenge. Other videos feature songs dedicated to the effect of gas.
The misuse of the gas has become so widespread that several musicians, from rapper Lil’ Gnar to singer SZA, have spoken out against the practice. SZA tweeted a warning that it causes brain cell death and “is mass marketed to black children.”
In response to concerns, some platforms have taken steps to try to limit the distribution of videos featuring people using Galaxy Gas. YouTube, which says it “does not allow content that encourages dangerous or illegal activity,” has age-restricted some videos, and TikTok now sends those searching for #GalaxyGas to a warning and resources about substance abuse. But in reality, users can get around these restrictions by slightly adjusting search terms. Searches for “Galaxy Gas” and slightly different formulations like “galaxy gass” and “nitrous gas” still show videos of people inhaling the products and there are still many unrestricted videos of people using this gas on YouTube.
Nitrous oxide gas is easily accessible
Different brands of nitrous oxide cartridges can easily be purchased online from major marketplaces including Walmart, Amazon, and Ebay. But Megan Paquin, a spokeswoman for the company that makes Galaxy Gas, told CBS News that sales were stopped on September 19, “out of an abundance of caution due to social media trending,” and that a number Major online retailers now list it as out of stock.
Although most stores require users to be over 18 to order them, they are still in the hands of many teenagers.
Nationwide, more than 25 million people over the age of 12 may have tried inhalants, according to a survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. And data shows that teens ages 12 to 17 use whippets more frequently than those ages 18 and older.
Renny called the surge in social media access to younger people alarming, saying young people often have a lower perception of risk and that a product’s packaging can tempt them to try it.
“Anytime there are bright colors or designs that appeal to young people, it makes them want to try something more,” Renny said. “Whereas if something was boring, someone might not be as interested in using it.”
The Food and Drug Administration regulates nitrous oxide as a food product, considering it generally recognized as safe to consume properly when of appropriate purity. Improper use of gas is considered a crime in many states.
Who owns Galaxy Gas?
According to records obtained by CBS News, Galaxy Gas, LLC was founded in 2021 and registered to Khalil Amor, who is also listed as a co-owner of a chain of tobacco and vape stores that has more than 65 locations. After the product started trending on social media, Galaxy Gas posted a disclaimer on its website warning that it is illegal to use its products as an inhalant.
“While Galaxy Gas has been the subject of numerous news reports and videos on social media, many videos show individuals abusing other unrelated nitrous oxide products. Galaxy Gas is neither the only and largest brand of nitrous oxide,” Paquin said.
The nitrogen tanks shown in online videos are large, some exceeding 1 liter, which could provide thousands of servings of whipped cream if used for culinary purposes. When asked in what situation would someone need so much whipped cream, Paquin said the product was sold in vape shops and sex shops because it was intended as an “erotic culinary lubricant.” and that some people might need it for their needs.
What to do in an emergency
In an emergency situation, if a person suspected of using inhalants is unconscious, Renny says the first step is to administer CPR and then call 911 for help.
Another important preventative measure is simply having open conversations with young people about the trends they encounter online.
“Doctors, schools and parents can all participate,” Renny said. “Especially in light of social media trends that we know are dangerous.”
The crackdown on Galaxy Gas and other nitrous oxide content only came after multiple calls for change from celebrities, influencers and parents. As dangerous social media trends continue to emerge online, parents and healthcare professionals will need to remain vigilant and look for potentially harmful information on the apps children use every day.
contributed to this report.
