Whippets have been around for some time, but they are experiencing a surge in popularity due to a substance called Galaxy Gas. The repackaging of this inhalant and the widespread use of social media among young people has helped quickly increase interest in easily accessible inhalants. Unfortunately, inhalants can be harmful to one’s health, so it is important to understand the dangers and how to recognize if a loved one is abusing inhalants.
You can find the help you need for yourself or a loved one to overcome inhalant abuse at 5 Palms. Our substance abuse treatment program in Florida offers inpatient and outpatient programs with gender-specific options, trauma-informed care, and 12-step-based programs.
What Are Whippets?
Whippets are small canisters containing nitrous oxide. You may have heard nitrous oxide, referred to as laughing gas, is sometimes used by dentists to minimize discomfort during dental procedures. Even before then, since the mid-1800s, nitrous oxide was used as an anesthetic prior to medical procedures.
Nitrous oxide is also used in canisters of whipping cream to help propel the cream into the fluffy whipped cream you would see on top of ice cream and other desserts. In addition to dental or culinary purposes, nitrous oxide is used recreationally for the purpose of getting high, which is where whippets and Galaxy Gas come in.
Whippets are tiny canisters of nitrous oxide that people inhale to get high. The newer version, Galaxy Gas, is a brand name of whipped cream chargers available in various flavors, making them especially appealing to teens.
The Dangers of Inhalant Abuse
When it comes to inhalants like Galaxy Gas, there is no such thing as moderation. Anyone inhaling toxic gases to get high is participating in inhalant abuse. Whether a person uses whippets only on occasion or accesses them frequently, they are at risk of a number of dangers, including:
- Heart problems – Inhaling whippets can affect the heart rhythm, increasing the risk of chronic heart problems like inflammation, congestive heart failure, cardiac arrest, and suffocation.
- Brain damage – Inhalants can affect the brain’s ability to get the oxygen it needs for optimal function, which can impair memory and coordination.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency – Nitrous oxide affects the body’s ability to absorb vitamin B12, which can lead to a deficiency.
- Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome – This fatal condition is caused by sudden heart failure due to sniffing inhalants.
On top of the above risks, whippets and Galaxy Gas can also lead to addiction, prompting people to continue using larger doses of nitrous oxide to achieve the same level of euphoria.
Signs of Inhalant Abuse
Unless you are very familiar with whippets, Galaxy Gas, or other inhalants, you may not be able to recognize the indicators that someone is abusing inhalants. Some common signs of inhalant abuse are:
- Empty whipped cream canisters in their possession
- Chemical odors on their breath or clothes
- Paint or unrecognizable stains on their hands or clothes
- Changes in their mood or behavior
- Irritability, hostility, or paranoia
- Slurred speech
- Loss of coordination
- Nosebleeds
If you recognize the above signs of inhalant abuse in a loved one, it is critical to talk to them about your concerns and encourage them to get the help they need to quit.
Enroll in Substance Abuse Treatment in Florida at 5 Palms
When young people observe their peers on social media engaging in activities like inhalant abuse, they may view it as normal and relatively harmless. Educating yourself and the young people in your life about the dangers of inhalant abuse is the first step in prevention. But if a teen in your life is having challenges quitting whippets, you can rely on the professionals at 5 Palms for help. Call us at 1.844.675.1022 or fill out our online form now to get more information about enrolling in substance abuse treatment at our Florida treatment center.