Nitrous Oxide Galaxy Gas: Social Media Trends and Safety Concerns

On social media, nitrous oxide, which has been abused as a recreational drug for decades, has been dubbed Galaxy Gas.

Galaxy Gas, a Georgia-based distributor, claims that its nitrous oxide canisters are designed to create foam from liquid cream for drinks and desserts. However, videos depicting kids breathing in the gas from vibrant canisters, some of which promote flavors like strawberry cream and vanilla cupcake, have gone viral on TikTok, YouTube, and X, garnering millions of views.

The goods’ popularity on social media, where the term “Galaxy Gas” has become a colloquial term for nitrous canisters in general, has raised new concerns about the gas’s potential hazards and attractiveness to youth.

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What is Galaxy Gas?

Galaxy Gas is primarily recognized for its whipped cream chargers, which are legal culinary goods made from compressed nitrous oxide gas cylinders. On September 19, the business suspended sales of its canisters after multiple videos of youths inhaling from them went viral.

According to X’s analytics, a video of a man slurping from a strawberry-flavored Galaxy Gas canister has received over 28 million views. In a nearly one million-view TikTok video, two young kids are shown perusing Galaxy Gas varieties together and choosing between watermelon lemonade and fruit punch.

How well-liked is it?

Although nitrous oxide, sometimes known as laughing gas, has long been utilized in medicine as an anesthetic, it has been abused as a party drug known as whippets for decades. According to Google Trends, searches for “galaxy gas” have significantly increased over the last two months, while it is hard to estimate how many young people have sought out nitrous oxide as a result of these movies.

Additionally, there has been growing concern regarding youth inhalant use: In 2022, a British Medical Journal article cautioned that physicians were observing a rise in neurological issues among youths due to recreational nitrous oxide use.

According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, almost 13 million Americans had abused nitrous oxide at some point in their lives. Additionally, a few state legislatures have acted: In 2021, a legislation was established in New York that made it illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to buy whipped cream chargers that contained the gas.

What safety issues exist?

Inhaling nitrous oxide without a doctor’s supervision can be “very dangerous,” according to Dr. Purva Grover, medical director of pediatric emergency departments at Cleveland Clinic Children’s, even though it can be safely given in a dentist’s office.

According to Dr. Grover, the gas can short-term induce headaches and dizziness as well as seriously harm judgment. According to her, nitrous oxide can also jeopardize the cardiovascular health of those with low oxygen levels, “which could result in really bad things, like your heart stopping.”

Although there was no scientific consensus, nitrous oxide “could well be addictive,” according to a 2024 article in the journal Addiction. According to Dr. Grover, doctors are also worried that long-term gas inhalation may impair the body’s capacity to metabolize vitamin B12, perhaps resulting in neurological disorders.

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What is Galaxy Gas’s reaction?

The firm was “deeply concerned about the recent news reports and social media posts of individuals illegally misusing our products,” according to an email sent by a company spokesperson. “We strictly prohibit unlawful use, misuse, or appeal to children in both our terms of use and conditions of sale,” she added.

Whipped cream chargers are no longer sold by Galaxy Gas, but certain wholesale websites that provide goods to smoke shops still display the company’s items. Other brands of nitrous oxide canisters are still available for less than $40 per canister on Amazon and Walmart.

What about social media sites like TikTok?

When viewers search for “galaxy gas,” TikTok no longer displays video results; instead, they are taken to a page with information about addiction and substance abuse. films of persons using nitrous oxide were prohibited on the platform, according to a company official, who would not disclose the number of films that had been taken down.

On TikTok, there are still videos showing kids breathing in nitrous gas that have received hundreds of millions of views. Additionally, they can be found on YouTube, X, and Reddit, where searching is easier. Additionally, Roblox, a game website with a youthful user base, uses Galaxy Gas canisters as virtual items.

How about the packaging?

SZA, an artist, voiced worry this week that teenage customers would find Galaxy Gas’ appearance particularly alluring. She expressed her concern over the product being advertised to Black children on X, writing, “Something about the childlike designs and marketing is so spooky like … stars and bright colors?”

According to the Galaxy Gas spokesperson, the company’s variety of flavors and vibrant look were a reflection of the fact that its goods were occasionally offered for sale as a “erotic novelty” at smoke and sex shops.

“We have never tried to market or sell our products to children, and our marketing clearly speaks to this use,” she said, adding that customers use Galaxy Gas to manufacture delectable whipped cream lubricants for their enjoyment.

Dr. Gail Saltz, a psychoanalyst and associate attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, is nevertheless alarmed by the appearance of today’s whipped cream chargers.

According to her, nitrous oxide misuse existed long before Galaxy Gas. What is new is the use of social media to promote items with vibrant packaging and unique flavors, which should help them appeal to a far wider audience than just cooks making whipped desserts.

“Whether intentionally or unintentionally, the message is that this is okay for children,” Dr. Saltz stated.

The TikTok Universe

Sale-or-Ban rule: In an extraordinary brief, President-elect Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court to stop a rule that would force TikTok to be sold or shut down by January 19.

Beef and Beauty: Natural cosmetics produced from beef tallow can be purchased from craftspeople or made at home. Although the trend is popular on TikTok, doctors are not happy about it.

Inside a “Boy Apartment”: Men with well-kept homes are becoming popular on TikTok, altering the perception of men’s lifestyle choices.

A Brand-New Wellness Task: The Winter Arc, which gained popularity on social media this fall, requires you to commit for three months. Some people are going too far with it.

The Intimacy of the Small Screen: Paloma Diamond and “Bistro Huddy,” two short-form drama programs, are introducing traditional serials to TikTok.

Conclusion

Nitrous oxide, or “Galaxy Gas,” has gained notoriety on social media for its misuse as a recreational substance despite being marketed for culinary purposes. Its appeal to youth, fueled by vibrant packaging and social media trends, has raised significant health and safety concerns. While Galaxy Gas has taken steps to restrict misuse, the larger issue of nitrous oxide abuse highlights the urgent need for regulatory oversight and public awareness to protect vulnerable individuals.

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FAQs Nitrous Oxide Galaxy Gas

1. What is “Galaxy Gas”?

Galaxy Gas is a brand primarily known for its whipped cream chargers containing nitrous oxide. These are marketed as culinary tools but have gained attention for misuse as a recreational drug.

2. Why is nitrous oxide called “Galaxy Gas”?

On social media, nitrous oxide is colloquially referred to as “Galaxy Gas,” largely due to the branding of colorful canisters and their association with the Galaxy Gas company.

3. Is using nitrous oxide safe?

When administered by medical professionals, nitrous oxide is safe. However, recreational inhalation can cause dizziness, neurological issues, and even long-term health problems.

4. How is social media influencing the misuse of nitrous oxide?

Social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube have popularized nitrous oxide through viral videos, leading to increased exposure and misuse, particularly among youth.

5. What steps has Galaxy Gas taken to address the issue?

Galaxy Gas has ceased selling its canisters and emphasized its prohibition against misuse in its terms and conditions. However, similar products remain available through third-party sellers.