Kids in US using Galaxy Gas to get high? Here's what it is and why parents should be worried

A new product called Galaxy Gas is raising concerns among parents in the US. Sold by the Atlanta-based company of the same name, it is reportedly being misused by young people to get high.

Galaxy Gas is marketed as containers of nitrous oxide, commonly known as "laughing gas." According to the company, its "intended use is for making whipped cream or culinary foams." However, reports suggest that youngsters are now purchasing it to experience its euphoric effects.

What is laughing gas?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, "Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is a sedative used by healthcare providers to keep patients comfortable during procedures. It’s a colorless, slightly sweet-smelling gas inhaled through a nosepiece." Unlike other sedatives, nitrous oxide allows people to drive shortly after use.

Laughing gas effects

Nitrous oxide slows down the nervous system, creating a sense of calm and euphoria. It helps reduce anxiety and keeps patients comfortable without putting them fully to sleep, allowing them to respond during procedures.

Though called "laughing gas," it may not always make users laugh. Effects can be felt within three to five minutes, including feelings of:

• Calmness
• Relaxation
• Euphoria
• Light-headedness
• Tingling sensations
• Heaviness or sinking feeling

Laughing gas risks

The Cleveland Clinic warns that nitrous oxide should not be used by people with respiratory conditions like COPD, nasal congestion, vitamin B12 deficiency, or severe psychiatric disorders. It can cause side effects such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, and agitation.

More dangerously, recreational use of nitrous oxide can lead to severe health risks, including:

• Low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Low oxygen levels (hypoxia)
• Fainting
• Heart attack
• Nerve damage

Long-term health risks

Those who abuse laughing gas recreationally may face long-term health complications, including:

• Depression
• Psychosis
• Memory loss
• Muscle spasms
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Numbness in hands and feet
• Weakened immune system
• Birth defects (if used during pregnancy)