The Whippet Trend: Teenagers’ Obsession with Laughing Gas
A Growing Concern
Teens are on cloud high, and it’s not just the usual teenage antics. A company that sells flavored whippets for culinary use has found a fanbase among the Gen Z clout chasers of TikTok – and they’re not baking cakes. Galaxy Gas sells food-grade nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, to the general public, dispensed from stainless steel canisters with an aerosol nozzle for easy flavor infusion into dishes, mainly whipped cream.
Warning Signs
During The Post’s investigation, the company has since removed all nitrous products. In some states, including New York, customers are required to be at least 21 to purchase. However, before the ostensible crackdown, there were seemingly few barriers to purchase, such as an age limit or wholesale license requirement when purchased via Amazon or Walmart.
Health Risks
Inhaling N₂O can cause lightheadedness, headaches, nausea, mild euphoria, and hallucinations. Prolonged use can lead users to develop depression, psychosis, memory loss, muscle spasms, tinnitus, and numbness. Despite the harmful side effects, youngsters are attempting to go viral by uploading evidence of their dangerous substance abuse on TikTok, with some claiming that huffing Galaxy Gas had put them in the hospital.
TikTok Challenges
In a clip online posted by @fearedbuck, an ostensible group of high school students can be seen flagrantly inhaling gas from a blue container in the middle of a classroom. "In school hitting Galaxy Gas," the video text overlay read. As one young man pulls the tip from his mouth, he calls out, "Yo, what the f-ck!" in a cartoonishly deep voice. He then fumbles backward, ultimately losing his balance and hitting the ground. Despite his unsettling plunge, peers around him are laughing at his reaction.
Experts’ Concerns
"Many social media challenges are just outright dangerous. It is critical that parents and educators talk to teens about the risks involved," Dr. MaryAnn Amirshahi, one of our Medical Directors at National Capitol Poison Center, told The Post.
Conclusion
The whippet trend is a worrying phenomenon that highlights the vulnerability of teenagers to peer pressure and the dangers of social media. As the risks associated with nitrous oxide use become increasingly apparent, it is crucial that authorities, parents, and educators take a proactive approach to educate young people about the dangers of substance abuse and the importance of responsible online behavior.
FAQs
Q: What is nitrous oxide?
A: Nitrous oxide is a gas that is often used in medical settings, such as dental procedures and childbirth. It is also known as laughing gas due to its ability to cause euphoria and relaxation.
Q: Is nitrous oxide safe to use recreationally?
A: No, nitrous oxide is not safe to use recreationally. Inhaling it outside of medical settings can be dangerous and even deadly, particularly when used heavily.
Q: Can nitrous oxide be addictive?
A: Yes, repeated use of inhalants like nitrous oxide and whippets can result in addiction.
Q: Who is responsible for the sale of nitrous oxide?
A: Galaxy Gas is a company that sells food-grade nitrous oxide for culinary use. However, their products have been linked to the whippet trend and the misuse of nitrous oxide.
