In recent years, the recreational use of nitrous oxide, commonly referred to as “whippets,” has become a growing concern among medical professionals, parents, and law enforcement. Widely accessible and often marketed in colorful packaging, these small canisters of nitrous oxide are being used by teens and young adults to achieve a short-lived euphoric high, despite their serious health risks.

According to Psychology Today, whippets are typically inhaled from metal canisters that are designed to charge whipped cream dispensers. The ease with which these canisters can be purchased—whether at gas stations, smoke shops, or even online—has made them an attractive option for young people looking for a quick, potent high. Although nitrous oxide (N₂O) has a long history of legitimate use in medical settings, its abuse has led to dangerous consequences, including neurological damage and oxygen deprivation, which can cause cognitive impairment, motor dysfunction, and even death.

The misuse of nitrous oxide has gained significant attention on social media, where platforms like TikTok and YouTube have become hosts to videos of users inhaling the gas. CBS News has reported that “Galaxy Gas,” one of the brands associated with the nitrous oxide trend, is frequently featured in these videos, despite the company’s efforts to warn consumers about the dangers of misuse. The appeal of whippets is exacerbated by the playful and brightly colored designs of the products, which medical professionals say make them more attractive to young users. Dr. Madeline Renny, a pediatric emergency physician, cautions that even one use can lead to dangerous health outcomes, including dizziness, palpitations, or, in some cases, death.

NBC Chicago highlights that whippet abuse is spreading quickly online, where it is promoted by influencers and celebrities. Videos show users experiencing an instant change in demeanor, with symptoms ranging from euphoria to numbness and sedation. The dangers of nitrous oxide abuse, however, are not fully understood by many teens, who are often misled by the perception that legal products are safe. Geoffrey Durso, a marketing professor, notes that this sense of trust is partly why so many young people are falling prey to the dangerous trend.

In response to rising concerns, some platforms have taken steps to limit the spread of videos showing nitrous oxide use. However, these restrictions have proven easy to circumvent, with users slightly altering search terms to access the prohibited content. Despite the growing popularity of whippets, medical experts like Dr. Tova Gardin of Yale School of Medicine stress the importance of early intervention. Gardin points out that long-term use can result in serious complications, such as memory loss, brain damage, and cardiovascular issues.

The alarming rise in whippet use among teens is not just a medical concern but a social issue. As CBS News reports, companies like Galaxy Gas are now stopping sales of nitrous oxide products “out of an abundance of caution” due to the social media trend. Yet the damage has already been done, with teens across the country increasingly exposed to content that glorifies the high while downplaying the health risks.

With millions of adolescents having reportedly tried inhalants, including whippets, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, experts are calling for greater vigilance among parents, schools, and communities. Open conversations about the dangers of these trends are crucial to countering the allure of viral social media challenges that glorify risky behaviors.

Ultimately, the message from health professionals is clear: Whippet abuse is a dangerous trend with serious consequences. As awareness grows, there is hope that both preventative education and stricter regulations can mitigate the harmful effects of this widespread substance abuse.

For now, families are starting to hold whippet makers accountable, a growing trend that has led straight to the courtroom.

In some cases, this awareness has led straight to the courtroom, as families of those harmed by whippet abuse fight to hold companies accountable.

Whippet lawsuits are gaining traction, with a Missouri jury awarding $745 million in damages to the family of a woman killed when hit by a driver who had been huffing nitrous oxide (N₂O) canisters. Law firms are also investigating cases in which users of these products suffer injuries, such as brain damage, nerve damage, heart problems, and respiratory failure.

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