Children are indulging in 'Galaxy Gas' inhalation for intoxicating effects. Here's essential information for concerned parents.
The aforementioned items are nitrous oxide-filled chargers produced by an Atlanta-based corporation, intended solely for culinary purposes such as cold brew coffees, desserts, and sauces. Upon discharge, these chargers, made from stainless steel cartridges, help transform dairy and other ingredients into a whipped state. However, without a food component, the discharge emits solely nitrous oxide.
The misuse of nitrous oxide — often referred to as "doing whippets" by older individuals — isn't a novel concept, according to Dr. Gail Saltz, a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College at Cornell University and an associate attending psychiatrist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.
The practice has experienced significant growth throughout the United States and the United Kingdom, as per a study published in March 2018. In Britain — where it has become illegal to possess the substance — nitrous oxide use among individuals aged 16 to 24 came second only to cannabis in 2020. Similarly, surges in use in the Netherlands have been linked to a rising number of young people presenting neurological complaints at hospitals.
The teenage years are often a phase of heightened curiosity, peer pressure, a lust for experimentation, an urge to fit in, emotional instability, and other stressors that adolescents may endeavor to escape, Saltz explained.
"All those factors can influence a teenager to try a substance that induces intoxication," she said, adding, "The opportunities for exposure are significantly expanded due to social media."
For instance, TikTok attempts to prevent users from accessing content associated with "Galaxy Gas" by redirecting them to helplines and resources on substance misuse effects. However, videos that skirt around censorship by excluding certain letters in the tag still garner millions of views. It's worth noting that some social media videos tagged "Galaxy Gas" show nitrous oxide products from other brands.
Despite not being inherently sinister, the availability of flavor options can be appealing to children, according to Saltz.
The illicit misuse of nitrous oxide products carries serious health risks, according to a spokesperson for Galaxy Gas. In a statement, the company expressed concern over the reports and social media posts of individuals misusing their products and has temporarily halted sales of whipped cream chargers.
The company's terms of use and conditions of sale explicitly prohibit unfair use, misuse, or enticing children. If anyone misuses a nitrous oxide product, they are encouraged to contact the Crisis Lifeline at 988 for resources on substance abuse assistance.
Hazards of nitrous oxide misuse
Nitrous oxide's intended use is in medical environments, such as relaxing patients for dental procedures, Saltz explained.
In such settings, "it's usually employed as a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide, not pure nitrous oxide, and controlled under a monitored environment," Saltz said. "It's administered gradually, so it doesn't restrict the oxygen supply you would otherwise receive, and it isn't a sudden influx."
However, inhaling quick bursts of pure nitrous oxide comprises one's oxygen supply, which can lead to fainting, heart attack, feeling unwell, loss of balance, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and seizures. Other risks include brain damage, anemia, nerve damage, paralysis, vitamin B12 deficiency, and nitrous oxide dependency.
Nitrous oxide misuse can also be fatal, and the required exposure level varies based on quantity and individual sensitivity.
Informing children about substance misuse
Given the risks, active and open conversations with children about nitrous oxide misuse and substance abuse in general are crucial, Saltz emphasized.
"Most parents believe their child is unaware or won't discover because they desire it to be so," Saltz said. "However, by the time a kid reaches their preteen years, there is a strong possibility that they have been exposed to such information and are aware of it, with someone amongst their peers partaking. It's simply naive to assume, 'If I don't speak about it, they won't discover it and encounter it unintentionally.'"
Engaging in conversations before the preteen years, rather than postponing it until late high school — which is common — is more effective and won't encourage children to misuse substances, Saltz suggested.
Always initiate the talk with questions instead of a lecture that may cause children to tune you out, she suggested. These questions might include: Have you heard about this? What do you think, know, and feel about it? What can you see on social media about this? Are any of your friends trying this out?
The discussion should be a two-way process, allowing children to express their thoughts while conveying your concerns and responses to their questions, Saltz said. Remind them that social media videos showing young people having fun while misusing laughing gas are only one aspect of the story – they don't reveal the harm such activities can cause, and not everyone may suffer these effects. Encourage your child to confide in you before trying something they come across online.
I'm here 24/7 to chat or answer queries, and if your kid or their pals ever land in a tricky situation, I'll leap into action before asking any questions, according to Saltz.
Signs that your kid might be misusing nitrous oxide could include emptied canisters in their room, bouts of uncontrollable laughter, an inexplicably high and oddly joyful mood, mysteriously missing money, and associating with kids who exhibit similar behaviors, Saltz explained.
Additional red flags could include a drop in academic or athletic performance, or an unusual fondness for solitude.
If your kid casually asks if the family can purchase a whipped cream charger, or if you discover one's gone missing, these are warning signals, too.
"If you believe your kid is frequently using anything," Saltz advised, "taking them to a mental health professional might be a smart move — someone with expertise in substance use or abuse. Just telling your kid to stop might not be an option."
The misuse of nitrous oxide can lead to various health issues, including fainting, heart attacks, and even seizures. To promote wellness and maintain good health, it's crucial to have open conversations with children about substance misuse, including nitrous oxide, before they encounter such information unexpectedly.
