Understanding Whippets: Drug Abuse Dangers You Need to Know

You may have recently heard about whippets—a drug that’s gaining popularity, particularly among young people. The term has surfaced in mainstream media as more individuals discover how easy it is to access whippets and experience a quick, short-lived high. But what exactly are whippets, and why are they dangerous?

What Are Whippets?

Whippets refer to small canisters filled with nitrous oxide, a gas commonly used in whipped cream dispensers. Sold under various brand names like Galaxy Gas, these canisters are intended for culinary use, not recreational inhalation. Though legal for adults over 21, nitrous oxide was never meant to be abused. When inhaled, it acts as a short-term sedative, producing sensations of euphoria, dizziness, and giddiness. Because they’re widely available online and in stores for legitimate purposes, whippets have become an easy-to-access substance for misuse.

Who Is Using Whippets to Get High?

Whippets have surged in popularity on platforms like TikTok, where users—often teens and young adults—share videos of themselves inhaling the gas for a brief high. The accessibility and legal loopholes around nitrous oxide have made it especially appealing to younger demographics. In response to growing concerns, some areas have begun introducing restrictions to curb recreational use. Still, whippets maintain a reputation as a party drug and continue to be misused, posing serious health risks, including brain damage, oxygen deprivation, and in severe cases, death.

Whippets may seem harmless, but nitrous oxide can cause brain damage when inhaled. Studies show repeated whippet use can cause the death of healthy brain cells. And because nitrous oxide blocks the transmission of information between different parts of the brain, it leads to sedation. Additionally, it can lead to mental health symptoms like mood changes, hallucinations, and delusions.