Galaxy Gas is a brand of nitrous oxide going viral across TikTok as Gen Z and Gen Alpha participate in dangerous trends that include “doing whippets” or “huffing” the canisters. The colorless gas can be found in cans of whipped cream and other household items and is sold in cartridges or canisters over the counter. Though Galaxy Gas is intended for culinary use and is legal to buy, its use as a recreational drug is not.
Misusing nitrous oxide comes with many health risks, including asphyxiation, loss of consciousness, cardiac arrest, and neurological damage.
Is Galaxy Gas used for huffing?
Galaxy Gas and other methods of using nitrous oxide to get high can be considered a form of “doing whippets” or “huffing,” or inhaling an intoxicating substance found in common household products including paints and even certain inks.
People sometimes use the term “huffing” to more specifically describe coating a cloth in paint and holding that to one’s mouth and nose while breathing deeply. Whippets, on the other hand, are inhaled directly from a container or can be transferred into a balloon or bag to breathe from.
A national survey on adolescent drug use found that the use of inhalants was more popular among younger Americans, with 8th graders being the only group who topped the 12 percent mark in terms of use in the past 12 months. That was in the ’90s, however, with this statistic falling to around six percent in 2020. This trend was similar for 10th and 12th graders.
A portion of one of many disclaimers on the official Galaxy Gas website states: “Products containing nitrous oxide are sold solely as a food processing propellant for whipped cream and culinary food use only. It is unlawful for a person to purchase products containing nitrous oxide for any purpose not intended herein and legally authorized.”
‘My name Lil T man’ TikTok trend
A meme tying Galaxy Gas to whippets formed after Twitter user @FearedBuck posted a video of a young man in a fast food restaurant taking a hit from a canister before saying “My name Lil T man” and explaining where he’s from in a deep voice. TikTokers found this hilarious and used the trending soundbite in their own videos.
The phrase “my name Lil T man” may also be found randomly in the comments on TikTok videos about using whippets or other forms of nitrous oxide huffing.
Is nitrous oxide safe?
Recreational use of nitrous oxide carries health risks, especially when combined with other drugs. The more you use it during a short period and the more you displace oxygen in the bloodstream with the gas, the higher the risk of side effects that can include sudden death.
While there isn’t a lot of research on the effects of whippets yet, new studies are discovering some troubling health implications from frequent use. A study released in May 2023 found “oily residue containing metallic particles” in the gas from nitrous oxide canisters, with the metals including iron, zinc, aluminum, chromium, cobalt, nickel, and lead.
Researchers noted that zinc could be “linked to lung lesions” and were also concerned about the presence of cyclohexyl isothiocyanate, which is a respiratory sensitizer—a compound that can result in a dangerous allergy or “occupational asthma.”
Meanwhile, a case study from 2006 focused on one man whose frequent nitrous oxide use had led to cervical myelopathy—a spinal cord compression injury that can lead to loss of fine motor skills, difficulty with balance, and trouble walking.
Side effects of doing whippets
Using whippets can produce a brief high that people often describe as a “happy drunk” sensation, with euphoria, confusion, a warm tingling sensation, and loopyness often reported. However, the side effects can be much less pleasant.
Short-term side effects include:
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Nausea/vomiting
- Irritability
- Irregular heartbeat
- Frostbite (from the cold air in the cans)
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Loss of consciousness
The biggest danger comes from asphyxiation, wherein not enough oxygen is getting to the brain. If this goes on for more than a few seconds, brain damage or even death can occur. Additionally, long-term use of nitrous oxide can cause damage to build up in the system, resulting in permanent issues.
Long-term side effects could potentially include:
- Addiction
- Muscle atrophy from vitamin B12 deficiency
- Kidney/liver damage
- Cervical myelopathy (as described above)
- Paraparesis (loss of leg function)
- Cognitive decline/dementia
Trend examples
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- ‘Heroin chic’ has made its way to TikTok
- What’s up with the ‘Paging Dr. Beat’ TikTok trend?
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