Everything Parents of Teens Need To Know about the Drug Going Viral on TikTok

A “new” way for teens to get high is gaining alarming popularity worldwide. It’s a scary situation that could be partially attributed to social media platforms that are now trying to course correct — more on that later. If your t(w)een is scrolling on social media, they’ve likely seen (or have friends who have seen) viral videos of other t(w)eens getting high off Galaxy Gas. And while the videos might look fun, the repercussions of your kid trying it themselves could be fatal.

What Is Galaxy Gas?

Galaxy Gas is the brand name of a whipped cream charger that is produced for culinary uses. It’s a stainless-steel cartridge filled with nitrous oxide that, once dispensed, helps cream and other ingredients transform into that whipped state that we all love so much. Whipped cream, cold brew coffees, desserts, sauces, and more are all made with Galaxy Gas or similar products.

What we don’t love so much (read: at all) is that teens are now using Galaxy Gas sans cream and dispensing the contents of the charger — pure nitrous oxide — into their mouths (or into a balloon and then their mouths) to get high.

Sound familiar? It’s “doing whippets” or misusing laughing gas, but with an enticing new intergalactic name that has come to be a catchall for other nitrous oxide products made by other brands. In the same way people often use “Band-Aid” for any bandage, “Galaxy Gas” has become the default.

And though some might categorize it as separate, Galaxy Gas could potentially fall under another new blanket term: chroming. While Galaxy Gas is the new whippets, “chroming” is the new huffing — AKA inhaling things like permanent markers, aerosol deodorant, nail polish, metallic paint, computer duster spray, paint thinners, gasoline, and hair spray to get high off the hydrocarbons.

Why Is Galaxy Gas Dangerous?

Misusing Galaxy Gas, laughing gas, and other nitrous oxide products can have a host of negative side effects including dizziness, fainting, seizures, memory loss, long-term nerve damage, heart attacks, and more. It can even be fatal.

What’s exceptionally scary about both Galaxy Gas and chroming is that these products are easily accessible to teens. There’s no need for a drug deal in a back alley when you can simply order Galaxy Gas (which, again, is made for culinary purposes) on Amazon without any restrictions. It’s also often available in smoke shops where consumers might have to prove they’re over the age of either 18 or 21, and the official Galaxy Gas website — which now has a health and safety disclaimer — requires buyers to prove they’re 21.

But honestly, your underage teen would probably have a harder time buying cough syrup or cold medicine at the local pharmacy than they would buying nitrous oxide.

It’s also scary because, in the same way tobacco products have come to be marketed to teens, nitrous oxide is becoming more and more visibly enticing with its brightly-colored packaging and fun flavors.

Even celebrities are getting concerned, with SZA tweeting, “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? the government is doing NOTHING ? .. since when are we selling whip its at the store ???? Somebody protect the children.”

How Common Is Galaxy Gas?

The quick answer? Probably more common than you think and seemingly growing in popularity. A 2018 study found that the misuse of nitrous oxide has been “rapidly rising” throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. A 2019 survey found that almost 13 million Americans aged 12 and older had misused nitrous oxide in their lifetime, per Forbes. And as of 2022, 70 percent of Galaxy Gas users fell between the ages of 16 and 24 — the most common age group for the drug.

Employees of the smoke shop Cloud 9 told Intelligencer they would see the same customers come in multiple times a day.

“The people that are coming in asking for it, they’re getting younger and younger,” one employee whose name was changed for privacy told the outlet. “You could see that they were out of it; you could barely understand what they were saying. People would buy tanks until their card would start declining.”

Use of nitrous oxide has gotten so common — and so problematic — that the company paused all sales of their whipped cream chargers, per CNN, before selling the company for just $1, per New York Magazine.

Social media platforms are also cracking down on content surrounding Galaxy Gas. For instance, if you were to head to TikTok right now and search “Galaxy Gas,” you would be redirected to helplines and resources on the effects of substance abuse. Of course, misspelling the name or looking for other brands might still get t(w)eens to the desired, potentially dangerous content.

Psychotherapist and Founder of Uncover Mental Health Counseling Kristie Tse told us she’s seeing “an increasing number of cases” in her practice that involve patients misusing nitrous oxide.

“It often starts innocuously at social gatherings but can swiftly escalate into regular use,” Tse tells SheKnows. “I’ve seen teens and young adults facing consequences like impaired coordination and even life-threatening seizures after using Galaxy Gas. In one case, a client suffered long-term nerve damage, impacting their mobility.”

What To Do If Your Teen Is Doing Galaxy Gas

If you suspect that your child is misusing nitrous oxide (Are their friends talking about it? Do they seem inexplicably euphoric? Is money missing? Are there empty canisters in their room?), Tse says immediate action is “vital.” She recommends starting a conversation with your child while also enlisting the help of a qualified professional like a mental health or substance abuse expert. You can even start by talking to their pediatrician or primary care doctor for guidance.

“If you suspect your child is using galaxy gas, approach them with compassion and openness,” she says. ” … Engage them in a conversation centered around understanding rather than judgment. Listen to their experiences and try to pinpoint any stressors or emotional challenges they’re facing.”

“It’s crucial to involve a professional who can work with them to address any underlying issues, such as anxiety or self-esteem problems that may be contributing to their substance use,” she continues. ” … These substances often serve as a coping mechanism … which makes it critical to address these root causes.”

Because whatever it is that made a t(w)een start using Galaxy Gas — be it anxiety, societal pressures, viral videos, or otherwise — it’s critical they get the help they need quickly. With such easy access to such a dangerous drug, there’s no time to waste. And if your teen isn’t using Galaxy Gas, remember that a proactive conversation is never a bad idea.

A version of this article was published in Sept. 2024.