What is galaxy gas and why is it dangerous?

Doctors and mental health experts are warning parents about a dangerous trend that has resurfaced under a different name: Galaxy Gas. It is the misuse of cream chargers containing nitrous oxide made by Atlanta-based company Galaxy Gas.

According to Galaxy, the product is “high-quality cream chargers and dispensers” that can be used to flavor whipped cream and create foam and mousse for use in cocktails.

However, the product can be abused to get high on laughing gas. You may know the trend by another name: Whippets.

It follows “chroming,” another word for inhalant abuse, which has long been called “huffing.” Like “huffing,” using Galaxy Gas to get high on nitrous oxide carries serious and even fatal health risks.

What is Galaxy Gas and why is it trending (and legal)?

Galaxy Gas is a company that produces cream chargers containing nitrous oxide. But it also points to a trend in which the capsules are abused for recreational purposes: To get a short-term high, explains Gail Saltz, MD, clinical associate professor of psychiatry at New York Presbyterian Hospital Weill-Cornell School of Medicine and moderator of the How can I help? Podcasts.

“Galaxy Gas is marketed for culinary purposes, to make and flavor whipped cream,” says Dr. Saltz. “Unfortunately, teenagers and young adults have realized that it is pressurized nitrous oxide and can give you a one-minute high.”

Galaxy Gas did not respond to an email request for comment. However, in the FAQ section of its website, the company explains that a cream charger “is a stainless steel cartridge filled with nitrous oxide (N2O). Nitrous oxide is a gas that helps cream and other ingredients achieve a foamy, whipped consistency when poured. Compared to traditional hand whipping, cream chargers can increase the volume of whipped cream by four times… An average cream charger contains 8 grams of N2O under pressure and is not refillable.”

The products are available at retailers such as Walmart and Amazon.

What is nitrous oxide?

Nitrous oxide is used for medical purposes, such as during dental procedures, explains Dr. Daniel Ganjian, FAAP, a board-certified pediatrician at Providence Saint John's Health Center. It is not considered a controlled substance under federal law, and its possession is not illegal at the federal level.

In 2024, Louisiana became the first state to ban companies from “possessing, selling or transferring nitrous oxide products.” However, the law does not specify whether it also applies to culinary products.

Regardless of the state, the sale or distribution of nitrous oxide for recreational use (“human consumption”) is not legal under the federal Food Drug and Cosmetics Act. However, it is permitted in food as long as the manufacturing processes are considered good.

Because nitrous oxide is legal to use in culinary products such as cream cans and capsules, Dr. Saltz says it remains widely open to abuse. For example, when New York passed a law banning the sale of steel cylinders or cartridges filled with nitrous oxide to anyone under 21, the state Department of Agriculture and Markets made it clear that this did not apply to cream cans.

A pop-up on Galaxy Gas's website also clarifies: “Products containing nitrous oxide are sold solely as a food processing leavening agent for whipped cream and culinary foods. It is unlawful to purchase products containing nitrous oxide for purposes not intended and authorized by law… The intentional misuse or inhalation of the ingredients is prohibited and poses a serious health hazard.”

Health risks from nitrous oxide/misuse of Galaxy gas chargers

Nitrous oxide affects the central nervous system, especially the brain.

“Nitrous oxide reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches the brain,” explains Dr. Ganjian. “This can cause dizziness, lightheadedness and impaired judgment. Inhaling large amounts or for long periods of time can lead to oxygen deprivation, which can damage brain cells and even be fatal.”

Dr. Ganjian says there are other risks and side effects of nitrous oxide abuse:

• Loss of coordination
• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Vitamin B12 deficiency when taken long-term, which can lead to nerve damage and numbness
• Unconsciousness due to lack of oxygen
• Heart attack due to sudden increase in blood pressure
• Sudden death due to lack of oxygen

Dr. Ganjian says it is important to seek emergency medical attention immediately if a person experiences:

• Unconsciousness (not waking up)
• Breathing difficulties
• Seizures
• Blue discoloration around the lips or fingertips (a sign of oxygen deficiency)

What parents can do

Parents can be proactive—and reactive—in helping their child stay away from or stop participating in harmful trends like Galaxy Gas abuse. But sometimes carving out a place for yourself in a child's life can be challenging, especially when kids naturally strive for independence and place more value on the opinions of their peers. Experts offer tips to start the conversation.

Start early

Parents may think it's better not to talk about substance abuse with teens and younger children, but Alexandra Stratyner, PhD, a New York-based psychologist, recommends having a conversation about substances like alcohol, nicotine and drugs like laughing gas as early as age 10.

“Many parents think they should first talk to their children about drugs during puberty, but some children have already started experimenting with drugs,” says Dr. Stratyner.

Discuss risks

Dr. Stratyner emphasizes the importance of educating children about the risks of recreational drug use in a developmentally appropriate way. Tailor the approach to your child's values ​​and priorities.

“Emphasize the health risks involved, especially risks that seem relevant to your child or teen's current experiences, such as academic success or athletic performance,” says Dr. Stratyner. “Be sure to recognize that experimenting with substances can lead to the development of addiction.”

Let the conversation flow

Scripts are trending on social media and are certainly helpful, but they are just a starting point.

“Let the conversation flow,” recommends Alexandra Cromer, LPC at Thriveworks in Richmond, Virginia. “In addition to talking to your child about this trend, talk about other dangerous trends, and let it lead into other topics of conversation like online safety and boundaries you want to set for your child online. Give the conversation its own rhythm and flow and make it a shared conversation.”

Know the signs of abuse

You can be the most empathetic parent in the world, and your teen may still try a harmful trend. By understanding the signs, you can remain empathetic and help your child before they experience worse consequences. According to Dr. Stratyner, signs of Galaxy Gas or laughing gas abuse include:

• Memory gaps
• Disposable items or empty canisters
• Excessive exhaustion
• Random laughter/euphoric mood
• Mood swings

Spend time together

Dr. Stratyner says that secure relationships develop over time and that it's the little moments that make a child more likely to trust you with important conversations and problems.

“Talk to your children about their lives, including their peers, the choices they face, and how they approach those choices,” says Dr. Stratyner. “Encouraging them to participate in extracurricular activities, showing interest in their interests, celebrating their successes, and recognizing their work in school and other activities will help build their confidence and encourage healthy choices, which in turn can reduce vulnerability to peer pressure.”