If you have been on the internet lately, you might have come across a product called “Galaxy Gas.” The flavored gas is marketed as a way to enhance whipped cream with a variety of sweet, fruit based flavors. The can, called a “charger,” is put into a holder, or usually a can of whipped cream, and is slowly released to flavor the cream.
Or…it could be used for a more sinister purpose. Galaxy Gas is canned nitrous oxide, which is commonly known as laughing gas. It is usually found in dental offices, where it is used solely for medical reasons. Nitrous oxide is only used for medical reasons because of its extremely addictive nature, with 7.9% of 15-24 year olds surveyed in 2011 having a dependency on nitrous oxide after first usages (according to the NIH), and of its quick and fleeting high to the user. Rapper Kanye West recently revealed his addiction to nitrous oxide, stating that his dentist played a part in his addiction by supplying him with a large amount of the gas since 2022. His addiction continues to this day.
Nitrous oxide can also have very dangerous side effects if used too frequently. The gas is a depressant, which slows your body down and quiets the nervous system. A consumer can overdose on the gas, which causes the lungs and heart to eventually slow down to the point of nearly stopping. An overdose can also include dizziness, headache, irritation, possible seizures, and a lack of oxygen to the body, which can get so severe to the point where it can cause death. A total of 56 deaths have been caused from nitrous oxide alone between 2001 to now, accounting for 17% of total 324 deaths caused by inhalants in said time period.
Now how does this tie back to Galaxy Gas? Well, the gas is flavored in candy-like flavors, consisting of watermelon lemonade, tropical punch, blue raspberry, and more. The canisters of Galaxy Gas can be inhaled from the nozzle at the top of the can, and these “whippets” have recently become popular among teenagers, whom an estimated 25 million have used inhalants nationwide. Galaxy gas also uses the same marketing strategy that vaping companies were under scrutiny for, with candy-like flavors and flashing colors on branding of the product attracting a youthful audience, along with the growing surge of popularity on social media apps like YouTube and TikTok, which have a youthful user base. The main Galaxy Gas website claims that users have to be 21 and older to purchase, but enforcement on the policy varies from vendor to vendor. Essentially, Galaxy Gas is the spiritual successor of the JUUL craze from 2017.
Galaxy Gas should not be underestimated, and it is important to understand and acknowledge the many dangers it holds, to both yourself and your loved ones. Be safe, be aware, and stay away from the misuse of a seemingly innocent product.
