Galaxy gas has become a hot topic on social media platforms like TikTok, with colorful canisters and enticing flavors catching the attention of young people nationwide.
The vibrant packaging cleverly conceals its contents: nitrous oxide. The latter is commonly known as “laughing gas.” The substance has legitimate uses and is now being increasingly misused for its euphoric effects.
This article explores what Galaxy Gas is, why it’s trending, and important information everyone should know about its uses and risks.
Table of Contents
What Is Galaxy Gas? Why Is It Trending?
Galaxy Gas is only a name brand for an Atlanta-based business that markets nitrous oxide gas as “high-quality whipped cream chargers and dispensers.” Their product is available in many flavors, like mango smoothie, blue raspberry, and tropical punch.
Here’s the kicker: These small metal canisters are technically sold for culinary purposes as they infuse whipped cream with flavor. But that’s not why they’re trending and making headlines.
The brand name has gained popularity through social media, particularly on TikTok, where influencers and young adults share videos of recreational use. Nowadays, Galaxy Gas has become synonymous with “whippets” or “whipped cream chargers.” People are inhaling them to produce a brief euphoric high.
Despite clear disclaimers on the business’ site stating that it’s illegal to purposely inhale their product, that hasn’t stopped young people from doing it. The colorful packaging, variety of flavors, and the quick, intense experience continue to fuel the product’s popularity among the youth.
How Does Galaxy Gas Work?
When inhaled, Galaxy Gas (nitrous oxide) quickly enters your bloodstream through the lungs and travels to your brain, affecting how it functions. The gas works by temporarily disrupting oxygen flow to the brain, which slows down your body’s reactions and alters brain activity.
This creates the characteristic “high” many hear of. It’s a brief feeling of euphoria, lightheadedness, and sometimes uncontrollable laughter (hence the nickname “laughing gas”).
Medically, nitrous oxide works as an anesthetic by blocking pain signals and triggering dopamine release – the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.
While medical settings use controlled amounts of oxygen, recreational users often inhale pure nitrous oxide from whipped cream chargers or canisters. Doing so can lead to dangerous oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) and other serious health risks which we cover later on.
How Long Does the Effect of Galaxy Gas Last?
The effects begin within seconds and typically last only 1-2 minutes. That’s why users often inhale repeatedly.
What Are Young Adults Using Galaxy Gas For?
On social media platforms, videos showing people inhaling from balloons filled with nitrous oxide have amassed millions of views. Users seek the quick euphoric high—that brief but intense feeling of relaxation and sometimes uncontrollable laughter.
This recreational use has become particularly common at parties, music festivals, and social gatherings, where the small canisters are easy to transport and use.
Many users also report feeling disconnected from reality, experiencing mild hallucinations, or feeling a pleasant floating sensation. Unfortunately, this brief duration often leads to repeated use in short succession, increasing health risks significantly.
What Makes Galaxy Gas So Appealing?
The appeal of Galaxy Gas lies in its accessibility, quick effects, and perceived safety. Unlike other substances, nitrous oxide creates an intense but brief euphoric high without the lingering effects. Users can feel normal within minutes.
It’s safe to assume that the product’s marketing and the fact that it’s ‘trending’ makes it all the more attractive to young people and first-time users.
Additionally, many users are drawn to Galaxy Gas because it’s technically legal to purchase (though illegal to inhale recreationally in many places) and widely available online or in stores selling culinary supplies. It also has a relatively low price point compared to other recreational substances.
Is Galaxy Gas Addictive?
Nitrous oxide isn’t traditionally considered as dependency-forming as substances like opioids. However, regular users can develop psychological dependency (i.e. chasing the brief euphoria and using with increasing frequency).
What Are the Side Effects of Using Galaxy Gas?
Using Galaxy Gas recreationally can lead to numerous side effects, ranging from mild discomfort to serious health complications. While many users focus on the brief euphoric feeling, they often overlook the dangerous consequences that follow.
Immediate side effects may include:
- Dizziness and disorientation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Temporary loss of motor control
- Headaches or pressure in the ears
- Confusion and impaired judgment
- Blurred vision or visual disturbances
- Excessive sweating
- Sudden drops in blood pressure
Additionally, the method of use introduces specific risks:
- Frostbite on lips, throat, or vocal cords from the cold gas
- Injuries from falls while disoriented
- Burns from handling cold canisters improperly
- Lung damage from direct inhalation from canisters
The Health Risks of Abusing Galaxy Gas
With repeated or heavy use, more concerning effects can develop:
- Vitamin B12 deficiency leading to nerve damage
- Numbness or tingling in extremities
- Memory problems and difficulty concentrating
- Mood changes including depression or anxiety
- Incontinence or loss of bladder control
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Weakened immune system
- Severe coordination problems
Many users underestimate these side effects because of the substance’s brief action in the body, not realizing that repeated use—especially in high quantities—can lead to cumulative damage that might not be immediately apparent.
For instance, extended use can lead to a serious condition called subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord. It causes permanent nerve damage, paralysis, and even death if left untreated.
Plus, heavy nitrous oxide consumption can lead to depression and psychosis and often worsen existing mental health conditions and potentially trigger new ones.
Is Galaxy Gas Safe?
When used as intended, for culinary purposes like whipped cream preparation, nitrous oxide is generally considered safe. Safety concerns emerge dramatically when it’s misused for recreational purposes.
That’s because recreational use typically involves pure nitrous oxide without oxygen supplementation. This fundamental difference creates significant risks, including loss of consciousness, seizures, and in extreme cases, death.
Is Galaxy Gas Legal?
From a legal standpoint, nitrous oxide isn’t classified as a controlled substance in most states. This means that buying Galaxy Gas canisters is technically legal in many places, especially when sold as “whipped cream chargers.”
In most states, possessing nitrous oxide specifically for recreational inhalation is illegal. Some states have enacted stricter regulations in response to rising misuse, including age restrictions and purchase limits.
For instance, New York and several other states have recently passed legislation restricting sales to those over 21.
Who Shouldn’t Be Using Galaxy Gas?
Certain groups face heightened risks from Galaxy Gas use and should avoid it entirely. Pregnant women should never use nitrous oxide recreationally, as it can harm fetal development and has been linked to birth complications.
People with vitamin B12 deficiency or conditions affecting B12 absorption (including vegetarians and vegans who may already have lower B12 levels) face accelerated risk of nervous system damage.
Individuals with cardiovascular conditions, including heart rhythm disorders or high blood pressure, should avoid Galaxy Gas. That’s because it can cause dangerous fluctuations in blood pressure and heart rate. Those with respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD may experience worsened breathing difficulties.
Young people, whose brains are still developing, are especially vulnerable to the neurotoxic effects of nitrous oxide and may face greater risks of cognitive impairment and dependency.
Finally, anyone with a personal or family history of substance misuse should be particularly cautious. Galaxy Gas can potentially serve as a gateway to other substance use patterns.
How to Address Galaxy Gas Abuse
For those concerned about a friend or loved one using Galaxy Gas recreationally, start an open, non-judgmental conversation about the serious health risks involved.
Reach out to our healthcare professionals for accurate information about nitrous oxide and its effects if still necessary. And if you or someone you know is struggling with Galaxy Gas abuse, contact us today about available treatment options.
