(NewsNation) — It started with a video of a man in a fast-food restaurant taking a hit from a flavored whipped cream canister called Galaxy Gas.
He showed off how deep the can made his voice, racking up millions of views and shares as others followed.
Now, when you search “Galaxy Gas” on TikTok you’re met with a warning that some substances can be dangerous when misused. The app has scrubbed many of the viral clips, but that was after hundreds of thousands of similar videos were posted of people “whiffing” Galaxy Gas to get high. The cans are easily available online or at big brand-name stores.
When you visit Galaxy Gas’ website, you now must agree to a disclosure statement before scrolling. The company sent NewsNation a statement saying its products are for culinary use only, and misuse of any kind is prohibited.
What is Galaxy Gas?
Nitrous oxide is so-called laughing gas. Dentists and doctors use it for procedures but say it’s not safe for teens to use without medical assistance because it could be deadly.
“These children have underdeveloped brains,” Dr. Sulagna Misra, founding physician at Misra Wellness, told NewsNation. “They’re getting instant gratification high, and there’s no oversight. … You can die from one use of this. One prolonged, abnormal, wrong misuse, no supervision — you can die.”
What are the long-term effects?
A U.S. substance abuse study suggests that about 13 million Americans ages 12 and older had misused nitrous oxide in their lifetime. Misra said it’s all about reminding teens the short-term high isn’t worth the potential long-term brain damage.
In the United States, the misuse of nitrous oxide is rising rapidly.
“People have this sort of super hero syndrome where they think nothing’s going to affect them until they wind up in a hospital sick,” psychotherapist Dr. Lisa Palmer said.
Misuse of nitrous oxide can impair the body’s metabolism of vitamin B12, which is essential for maintaining the insulation and protection of nerves in the brain and spinal cord. Long-term misuse can lead to range of neurological, blood-related and psychiatric complications, including nerve damage and psychosis, according to a January study from the Yale School of Medicine.