Teens Are Inhaling ‘Galaxy Gas’ to Get High, but What Is It?

Mar. 15, 2025

Galaxy Gas

Nitrous oxide is commonly used as an inhaled sedative tool in medical procedures, theCleveland Clinicexplains. When used safely and under medical supervision, it can help a patient feel calm and relaxed.

However, nitrous oxide can also cause a euphoric high when inhaled, as theNational Library of Medicinepoints out, which leads to its nickname,“laughing gas.”

Stock image of a container of Galaxy Gas.Galaxy Gas

Using nitrous oxide outside of a medical setting, the Cleveland Clinic says, can lead to long-term ”serious and potentially life-threatening health complications” that include nerve damage, heart attack, low oxygen, and low blood pressure.

And those who use it regularly are more prone to depression, psychosis, and memory loss.

The gas has become so popular that TikTok has banned the search term “Galaxy Gas." When searched, users are directed to a warning page saying, “Be informed and aware. Some substances can be dangerous when used or misused. Learn more about how drugs, alcohol and tobacco can affect your mind, body and behavior.”

They are then redirected to a page on how to find support for substance abuse. The platform has also banned the term “nitrous oxide.”

As a TikTok spokesperson tells PEOPLE, the platform does not allow videos that show drug use — and this includes nitrous oxide.

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On the website of Galaxy Gas, it says, “It is illegal to purposely inhale our product. By shopping on this website you agree to our Terms of Service. WE DO NOT CONDONE ILLEGAL USE OF OUR PRODUCTS. You must be over the age of 21 to view/order from this website. WARNING if used improperly or in ways not intended to be used such as inhaling, it can lead to hypoxia. DO NOT INHALE.”

Inhaling commercially available chemicals for a quick high is extremely dangerous. This past spring, ateen died in Australia from “chroming”— known stateside as “huffing” — the chemicals from a spray deodorant can.

And an11-year-old boywent into cardiac arrest and died in the U.K after “chroming” at a slumber party in March.

Stock image of nitrous oxide containers.Getty

Getty

And while abusing household canisters — or unmarked silver nitrous cartridges, called “whippets” — isn’t new, Galaxy Gas' brightly colored packaging and playful design have sparked concern over their target audience.

“Sorry to be old n annoying but.. Is no one gonna talk about how galaxy gas came out of no where and is being MASS marketed to black children?”SZAwrote in apost on X, the platform previously know as Twitter. “The government is doing NOTHING ? .. since when are we selling [whippets] at the store ????  Somebody protect the children."

Galaxy Gas has stopped selling its whipped cream chargers on its website,The New York Timesreports. PEOPLE has reached out to Galaxy Gas for comment.

source: people.com