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What is Galaxy Gas?

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The bottom line

Galaxy Gas contains nitrous oxide that is inhaled for its euphoric effects. Inhaling nitrous oxide can lead to dangerous adverse effects, including low blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and even deaths.

Prevention Tips

  • Talk to adolescents about social media trends and the dangers of nitrous oxide abuse. 

  • Using nitrous oxide with other medications that lower blood pressure can be particularly dangerous.

This Really Happened

Case 1. A 34-year-old man was using several nitrous oxide whippets a day to get high. His wife brought him to the emergency department because he was having trouble breathing and was gray in appearance. He was given oxygen, but his breathing did not improve. Blood tests showed he had dangerously high levels of methemoglobin in his blood that was due to contaminants found in the whippets. The antidote methylene blue was given and the patient improved, but left the hospital against medical advice. 

Case 2. A 16-year-old girl inhaled nitrous oxide gas to get high at a party and collapsed. She was taken to the hospital where she was monitored for several hours, but made a full recovery.

Case 3. A 58-year-old man inhaled whippets after taking a tablet of Viagra for male performance enhancement. Shortly after, he passed out and his girlfriend called 911. The interaction of the two drugs caused a dangerous drop in blood pressure. He was given intravenous fluids and was monitored overnight in the hospital, but was discharged the following morning. 

Case 4. A 28-year-old man with a history of daily nitrous oxide use presented with leg weakness and abnormal sensation in his lower extremities. Further evaluation demonstrated abnormalities of the spinal cord on MRI. He discontinued using the nitrous oxide, and was treated with vitamin B12 and underwent physical therapy. He made a complete recovery.

What is Galaxy Gas? How does it work? 

Galaxy Gas is a brand of nitrous oxide that has been marketed with various different flavors and has been abused for its euphoric effects. Nitrous oxide is a colorless gas that is used in dental and other medical procedures. It has also been referred to as “laughing gas”. Nitrous oxide is also used in the food industry to give whipped cream its smooth texture. It is sold in canisters called whippets. Nitrous oxide has also been used for sexual enhancement because it dilates blood vessels. 

Galaxy Gas TikTok trend: What do parents need to know? 

Galaxy Gas is marketed with colorful cannisters and flavors, such as mango smoothie that are appealing, particularly to adolescents. In addition, nitrous oxide is easy for teens to obtain. Several pop artists have endorsed using Galaxy Gas and a recent TikTok trend has led to videos of people getting high on Galaxy Gas being posted on various social media platforms. Inhaling nitrous oxide in this manner is dangerous. Parents should be aware of this trend and the associated risks and talk with their teens. 

Dangers of Galaxy Gas and Nitrous Oxide

When inhaled, nitrous oxide causes you to feel relaxed, euphoric, or high. Rarely, it can cause anxiety and hallucinations. It also relaxes your blood vessels, which causes a drop in blood pressure, which can cause you to feel lightheaded or dizzy or have a headache or palpitations. When the blood pressure drops to dangerously low levels, can pass out or loose consciousness. You can also injury yourself if you fall while you are under the influence of nitrous oxide. If you inhale high concentrations of nitrous oxide, your brain and heart do not get enough oxygen. Rarely, nitrous oxide can be contaminated with nitric oxide, which can lead to a condition called methemoglobinemia, that decreases oxygen delivery to tissues. Deaths have been rarely reported. When people use nitrous oxide for long periods of time, it can cause nerve problems and vitamin B 12 deficiency that can be permanent if not treated promptly. It is important to know that it is safe to inhale small amounts nitrous oxide in a supervised setting for dental or other procedures. 

Can you overdose on Galaxy Gas? 

It is possible to overdose on Galaxy Gas. Dangerously low blood pressure, coma, seizures, and rarely deaths have been reported.  Patients with long term use of nitrous oxide may need treatment with vitamin B 12, but improvement of nerve damage can take a long time. 

Is Galaxy Gas addictive?

While not as addictive as some substances, such as opioids or nicotine, people can develop psychologic dependency. 

Is Galaxy Gas illegal?

Nitrous oxide is not illegal as it is used in the medical and food industries, making it easily accessible. At the same time, it is not intended to be a drug of abuse and legal action can be taken depending upon the circumstances.

My child inhaled Galaxy Gas. What should I do?

If the person is not responsive, call 911 and seek immediate medical attention. If someone has a seizure, turn them on their side. If the person does not have a pulse, start CPR. If someone inhales Galaxy Gas, or if you have a question about nitrous oxide, use the webPOISONCONTROL® online tool to get help or call your poison center at 1-800-222-1222. Whether online or by phone, expert guidance is always free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.

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Maryann Amirshahi, PharmD, MD, MPH, PhD, FACMT, FACEP, FASAM, FCP,
Medical Toxicologist

For More Info

Nitrous Oxide Effects Are Reversible With Early Treatment. Yale School of Medicine.

Dangerous Trend: Galaxy Gas. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas). Cleveland Clinic.

Nitrous Oxide (Whippet) Abuse, Side Effects & Treatment. American Addiction Centers.

References

Einsiedler M, Voulleminot P, Demuth S, Kalaaji P, Bogdan T, Gauer L, Reschwein C, Nadaj-Pakleza A, de Sèze J, Kremer L, Schroder I, Bigaut K. A rise in cases of nitrous oxide abuse: neurological complications and biological findings. J Neurol. 2022 Feb;269(2):577-582. 

Kulkantrakorn K, Chunhachatrachai P, Kulkantrakorn W. Nitrous oxide abuse and associated neurological diseases. BMC Neurol. 2024 Nov 26;24(1):461. 

Osman A, Yousif D, Hickman S, Branagh W. 'From highs to lows: a cautionary tale of nitrous oxide recreational use leading to sub-acute combined degeneration of the cord'. Oxf Med Case Reports. 2024 Jul 13;2024(7):omae068. 

Thompson AG, Leite MI, Lunn MP, Bennett DL. Whippits, nitrous oxide and the dangers of legal highs. Pract Neurol. 2015 Jun;15(3):207-9.

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