All Essential Information on Whippets and Cosmic Hydrogen (Galaxy Gas)
Scooping the Straight Facts on Whippets:
grappled with the risqué, dangerous trend of whippets surfacing on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, fueling concerns among parents and healthcare professionals alike.
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In the spotlight, there's the buzz around Galaxy Gas canisters - those eye-catching whipped cream chargers, pressed with compressed nitrous oxide gas. As kids crack open these colorful devices, they inhale the contents, leading to mind-bending outcomes like tremors, passing out, or a temporary loss of coordination.
With the influx of immature antics on social media, TikTok has banned "Galaxy Gas" from searches, and the company has halted sales momentarily. However, Galaxy Gas is simply the newest cake in the ever-growing array of whippets as party drugs.
Whippets, you ask? That's another name for nitrous oxide, or the infamous laughing gas, when misused. Dr. Bryan Baskin, an emergency physician, expounds on the disturbing facts behind whippets.
Decoding the Mystery of Whippets:
Not just a gimmick conjured up for foamy desserts, whippets have sadly taken a sinister turn among the adolescent crowd.
The term "whippets" originates from the whipped cream dispensers, containing cartridges buzzing with nitrous oxide. People inhale this gas with adventurous determination, either directly from the cartridge, or filling balloons, or a bag where they suffocate the gas and inhale.
When you suck the nitrous oxide into your lungs, it tickles your nervous system, giving you an euphoric sensation that lasts between seconds and a minute or two. Expect some slurred speech, a metaphorical limp wrist, and tingling sensations.
Although whippets are a safe sedative aid in medical settings, when used outside a controlled setting, without proper oxygen supply, it could be a ticking time bomb.
"Whippets act as an anesthetic, cutting off the transmission of pain. In medical settings, they're used in conjunction with a constant flow of oxygen, ensuring safety. On the streets, people don't bother with such precautions, leaving them susceptible to the hazards of nitrous oxide," explains Dr. Baskin.
The Dark Side of Whippets:
Inhaling whippets is dangerous, plain and simple.
The Quick, Sharp Pains:
The impulsive, thoughtless use of whippets disrupts judgment and motor skills, inviting accidents and injuries. Studies have unveiled that recreational use of whippets can cause temporary hallucinations, paranoia, and can lead to dire consequences[1].
The aftermath of whippets can also lead to dizziness, nausea, headaches, irritability, and emotional dysregulation[1].
Seeping into the Long Haul:
Regularly using whippets can have serious repercussions, impacting one's nervous system, organs, and overall health[1].
- Brain and Nerve Disruption: Chronic use of whippets can lead to a severe vitamin B12 deficiency, causing neurological damage[2]. Symptoms include numbness in the extremities, limb spasms, and mental health changes such as depression, anxiety, and even hallucinations[3].
- Organ Damage: The long-term use of whippets can cause significant damage to the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys [4].
Is Whippets an Addiction?
Whippets aren't as addictive as illicit substances like cocaine or opioids, but the pursuit of prolonged whimsical feelings can latch onto one's psyche.
"The rush of using whippets can induce a false sense of empowerment, leading users to overlook the potential dangers," reveals Dr. Baskin. "This habit can escalate as users continue to chase that evasive high."
Can You Overdose on Whippets?
A whippet overdose is possible, although rare[5]. The death toll from whippet abuse is less than other illegal substances, but severe oxygen deprivation can lead to irreversible brain damage or even death in confined areas[6].
Guarding Against Whippets: A Guide for Parents:
Chatting with your children about the pitfalls of whippets can save them from a world of hurt.
"Parents need to stay mindful of whippets, Galaxy Gas, and other house products that can pose dangers when misused by youngsters," says Dr. Baskin. "Young people are always finding creative ways to experiment with things that can cause them harm. Whippets are another step in that direction worth looking out for."
[1] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019). Nitrous Oxide Abuse. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/emergency-room/trends-in-emergency-room-visits/nitrous-oxide[2] Makwana, M. (2017). Nitrous oxide-induced vitamin B-12 deficiency. Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology, 1-5.[3] Dewan, S. (2016). Nitrous Oxide Use in Teenagers. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 30(6).[4] Barrows, C. P., & Kennaway, J. H. (1989). Hemodynamic response to nitrous oxide inhalation. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 122-126.[5] Zhou, W., Chen, C., & Zhang, T. (2013). Acute respiratory failure due to nitrous oxide using as recreational drug. Journal of Medical Toxicology, 9(1), 57-61.[6] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2022). Nitrous Oxide Abuse. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/emergency-room/trends-in-emergency-room-visits/nitrous-oxide
- The rising trend of whippets, the misused form of nitrous oxide, has raised concerns not only among parents but also within the realm of mental health and health-and-wellness professionals.
- The long-term use of whippets can lead to serious health issues such as nerve and brain disruption, organ damage, and even mental health changes like depression and anxiety, posing a significant threat to one's overall health and well-being.
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