If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok lately, you may have come across a curious trend where people, particularly rappers and teens, are inhaling something called Nitrous Oxide Galaxy Gas from whipped cream dispensers. What’s inside those metal cartridges is nitrous oxide, a gas with legitimate uses in food preparation—like creating whipped cream. However, this gas, often called “laughing gas,” is now being used recreationally to induce a quick high, a practice that has raised serious concerns.
Nitrous oxide produces a short high when inhaled, an onrush feeling which makes people get a light-headedness feeling and merry, even giddy. That is why it’s such a temptation to rappers wanting to have a good time on camera and TikTok users looking to get stupid. The fact that Galaxy Gas comes in flavors like strawberry or mango smoothie only makes it all the more attractive to younger crowds. But let’s not get anything twisted here, it’s not harmless. Inhaling the gas starves your brain of oxygen that can lead to dizziness, nausea, and, in worst cases, brain damage or even death. It’s something that people should think twice about before jumping onto this viral trend.
How the Galaxy Gas Trend Works
You’ve probably seen rappers and influencers casually inhaling Galaxy Gas from a balloon or whipped cream dispenser, casually, but how does it work? These cartridges contain nitrous oxide under pressure, which is normally used in culinary settings to whip cream into its light, airy consistency. When it’s inhaled rather than used for its intended use, the gas gives a fast, euphoric high that lasts less than a minute in general.
Users of Galaxy Gas often inhale it straight out of a dispenser into a balloon, which allows larger hits of the gas to be taken in at one time. The high is short-acting, but potent enough to leave people disoriented and, in some cases, euphoric. Some rappers go so far as to incorporate the whipped cream canisters into their music videos to promulgate this as some harmless, fun way of getting a buzz. The dangers of Nitrous Oxide Galaxy Gas are real, and many have warned against misuse.
The Risks Involved
Although it might be something cool and hip to do, inhaling this gas can have serious consequences on health, according to the most recent and updated UK Government Nigrous Oxide Harms Assessment. When one inhales Galaxy Gas, the oxygen within his brain is bounced out by the gas. Lack of oxygen might be making you light-headed and lose coordination and even faint. More serious effects of chronic abuse include nerve damage, permanent cognitive problems, and even heart attacks.
But even worse, it has since gone viral on social media, with influencers proudly touting their experiences like some sort of badge of cool. Precariously often, though, such influencers shy away from the discussion of the after-effects: headaches, nausea, and possible unconsciousness later. Worse still, some have been seen falling unconscious on camera, while several others have been hospitalized for it. Social media has made it fairly easy to access Nitrous Oxide Galaxy Gas for the youth, most of whom have no clue about the risks involved.
Why This Trend Is Dangerous
It has become such a dangerous trend because it’s so easily accessible. You can buy them online from places like Amazon, Walmart, or even directly from Galaxy Gas itself, often without age verification. It has become alarmingly simple to get your hands on these whipped cream chargers, which makes the trend so dangerous among teens-without any supervision from parents or notion of what could possibly go wrong.
Some rappers and influencers have spoken out against it. SZA publicly voiced how alarmed she was, stating that this is being marketed to young people, especially within the Black community. Despite these warnings, the trend carries on. If you’re seeing this trend pop up on your feed, it’s important to realize the potential danger that might seem like harmless fun.