This is because they are typically easy to obtain, making them accessible to underage individuals. The compound is known colloquially among recreational drug users as “whippets,” “balloons,” “hippie crack” or “Galaxy Gas,” after one popular brand. Several prominent rap and R&B artists have recently spoken out about the negative impacts of nitrous oxide within their scenes. Around 13 million Americans aged 12 or older have misused nitrous oxide, according to a 2019 survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Nitrous oxide was the 13th most used drug worldwide, and 22.3% of respondents reported using it, according to the 2021 Global Drug Survey. Most drug use fell during the pandemic except for nitrous oxide and “magic mushrooms,” according to the 2022 Global Drug Survey report.

What are the long-term effects of whippet abuse?

If you or someone you know is struggling with whippets drug addiction or misuse, we can help you begin your path to recovery. Our experienced addiction counselors at Avenues Recovery have helped thousands of people just like you reach sobriety successfully. Contact Avenues Recovery to discover a vibrant, caring community of professional therapists and mentors, who will support and encourage you on your journey to true healing. Detoxification programs focus on safely managing withdrawal symptoms as the body clears nitrous oxide. This process serves as a crucial first step for many individuals recovering from Whippet addiction, allowing them to stabilize before engaging in further treatment.

Behavioral Signs and Symptoms of Whippet Addiction

Individuals may develop an overwhelming need for the euphoric effects of the drug, which can lead to a cycle of dependence. It is essential to recognize the potential for psychological addiction and seek appropriate support and treatment if needed. The world of whippits may seem whimsical at first glance, but behind the quick rush lies an array of serious risks, from immediate oxygen deprivation to long-term nerve damage.

Most people who have access to a nitrous tank will use it to fill a balloon with the gas and then inhale it from the balloon. The tip of the tank gets very cold so it is more dangerous to inhale directly from a nitrous tank than a whipped cream can. In regards to the whippets drug, it is important to understand that it includes both the gas and the method of inhalation.

• When this substance is mixed with a hallucinogenic drug like LSD, it is known as “gascid”.
• Its short-term effects give nitrous oxide a high potential for abuse as well.
• Unlike most recreational drugs, whippets do not overwhelm the brain’s pleasure system.
• This substance slows down the activity in an individual’s brain, affecting their body’s responses and causing feelings of euphoria, laughter, and relaxation.

Treatment for whippet drug abuse

Whippets aren’t physically addictive, in the sense that they don’t affect hormones such as dopamine and alter brain chemistry. These highs change your brain’s reward center and make you crave it more. People use it to create whipped cream and cooking spray, as well as to increase the power of car engines.

• The majority of the injuries were from whippets, according to WVU Student Health and Urgent Care Medical Director Dr. Carmen Burrell.
• These physical and psychological effects occur as the body adjusts to functioning without nitrous oxide, with severity depending on usage patterns.
• Whippet abuse, while often seen as a harmless recreational activity, poses significant risks to physical and mental health.
• At Promises Behavioral Health, we offer the assistance you need to understand inhalant abuse and begin healing.

Edmund has an extensive background in addiction research and medical writing, working collaboratively with doctors, substance use disorder specialists, and clinical experts across all content on Recovered. “When there are high profile deaths, there’s a rush of awareness around inhalant use as a factor impacting the health and wellness of our community. “Nitrous oxide is a trending drug that is extremely addictive, harmful, and now more than ever, easily accessible at smoke and tobacco shops across the city,” Councilmember Imelda Padilla said last year. “For really high volume, longer term use, there’s actually nerve conduction function impairment, and some cognitive function impairment,” says Cleveland Clinic Pediatric Pulmonologist Dr. John Carl. People consume nitrous oxide by huffing or inhaling the cartridge’s contents. Since whippets are so easy to access and they produce no obvious smell, that’s led to a resurgence in recreational use, especially among teens and young adults.

Dangers of Whippet Misuse

More concerning is the ongoing use, with about 2.1 million Americans reporting inhalant use within the past year, including 730,000 individuals who were first-time users. Long-term use of inhalants can lead to the brain becoming starved of oxygen, which can cause seizures, stroke, and death. Studies also suggest that heavy use of whippets from a young age can lead to permanent brain damage. The nitrous oxide inside whippet canisters has been abused across the globe for its intense yet short high, yet studies have suggested whippet abuse can carry serious health consequences.

In many states, you can be fined and/or jailed for violating inhalant laws, such as selling these inhalants to minors or inhaling them yourself. Other names for the whippets drug are laughing gas (though it rarely causes people to laugh), nitro, nangs, nossies, hippy crack, and balloons. The immediate effects of whippets are due to the rapid release of nitrous oxide in the brain. Nitrous oxide affects the central nervous system, leading to the alteration of sensory perception and mood. In this article, we’ll explain exactly what whippits are, explore the immediate effects they have on users, highlight the potential health risks, and discuss the social factors contributing to their widespread use. Yes, individuals die from Whippets (nitrous oxide abuse) due to asphyxiation, complications from vitamin B12 deficiency, and fatal outcomes when combined with other substances.

4.7% of people over age 12 and 5.2% of people over age 26 have used whippets at some point in their lives – amounting to millions of people. Sudden death is much more likely when combined with alcohol and other drugs. The wide use of nitrous oxide by trained professionals in dental and medical offices gives a false sense of security that it is relatively harmless. Seizures may also be triggered from whippet use, and these types of whippet drug side effects can happen with both low and high doses. Because the high is so short, people tend to do it repeatedly over and over to keep feeling the effects. Reusable whipped cream canisters can be purchased at restaurant supply stores and even head shops that sell other types of paraphernalia.

Whippets don’t cause the same structural changes in the brain because the drug has less of an impact on dopamine and serotonin. Instead, they produce the high you experience by reducing oxygen and increasing carbon dioxide in the body. At Promises Behavioral Health, we offer the assistance you need to understand inhalant abuse and begin healing.

It’s crucial to emphasize that nitrous oxide is safe and beneficial only when administered by qualified medical professionals in a controlled environment. The misuse of this gas for recreational purposes poses significant health risks. Recovering from whippet addiction is a journey that requires drugwhippet commitment, perseverance, and a multifaceted approach. With the right treatment options, combined with ongoing support and a healthy lifestyle, individuals can overcome addiction and build a fulfilling life in recovery.

This will not only reduce the risk of becoming addicted to other substances, but will also teach relapse prevention strategies to avoid using again in the future. The combination of whippets and alcohol can cause confusion, limited concentration, loss of memory, and sedation. By holding the can straight up instead of tilting it, only the gas will come out without the whipped cream.

Who Abuses Whippets?

A 2021 New York state law banning the sale of “whipped cream chargers” to anyone under 21 led to confusion, causing some grocery stores to ask for identification before selling whipped cream to customers, AP News reported. Still, inhalant abuse is less prevalent than party drugs like ecstasy or cocaine. In 2023, less than 1% of people ages 12 and older reported using inhalants.

With a dedicated team of professionals at your side, you can understand your triggers, manage cravings, and find the path toward healing. Whippets prevent the body from absorbing vitamin B12, which can cause serious muscle weakness or even loss of muscle function. Take vitamin B supplements and do a blood test to check your vitamin B levels. If you notice any of these physical signs in an individual, it is essential to address the situation and seek appropriate help and support. Some subcultures embrace whippits as a casual indulgence, particularly at clubs or festivals.