Whippit Addiction And Abuse

What Are Whippits?

A whippit is a general term used to describe the abuse of nitrous oxide, a dangerous inhalant. Nitrous oxide is an odorless, colorless gas that causes a brief high and euphoric effects like anxiety reduction and hallucinations. It is highly addictive when misused.

Also known as “whippets”, “laughing gas”, and “hippie crack, the term “whippits” is derived from the pressurized metal cartridges filled with nitrous oxide found in whipped cream dispensers. Whippit use has been on the rise, remaining popular with adolescents and teens due to the relative ease of obtaining the drug.

In 2022, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) confirmed that whippits are one of the most frequently abused inhalants with approximately 13 million Americans aged 12+ having misused nitrous oxide in their lifetime.

The Dangers Of Whippits

The misuse of whippits is often underplayed, but in reality, they are extremely dangerous drugs due to a variety of reasons.

Easy Accessibility

A primary danger of whippits is their accessibility. Despite its potential for misuse, nitrous oxide has a legal status in the US, making it easier for the drug to fall into the hands of adolescents (though some states, like New York, have made it illegal to sell nitrous oxide to a person under 21). Aside from markets and grocery stores, whippit cannisters are widely available for purchase in smoke and vape shops, with synthetic oils and flavors being added to boost appeal.

One popular whippit product is Galaxy Gas, a new product marketed as “flavored whipped cream gas,” which has exploded in popularity among recreational users. Galaxy Gas is easily accessible to teens and young adults. It’s sold in a number of big box retail locations like Walmart and Amazon, as well as various other online outlets. Additionally, Galaxy Gas is available for purchase without any age verification, making it especially enticing for teens.

Euphoric Effects

Nitrous oxide is a dissociative drug, meaning it creates the feeling of being separated or detached from the body and physical environment. Dissociative drugs can cause hallucinations and other changes in thoughts and feelings. The calming anti-anxiety effect may produce relaxation and the feeling of floating. Effects of nitrous oxide are felt almost immediately but only last a few minutes. This adds to their misuse potential, as people take more hits to feel repeated effects.

Using Whippits With Other Drugs

The effects of whippits can change based on the presence of other drugs and lead to increased harm. For example, alcohol and whippits can cause more confusion and disorientation and increase the risk of overdose. Mixing whippits with ketamine or cannabis can intensify the effects of both drugs, increasing the risk of hallucinations.

Effects On The Brain

A major danger of whippits is how a person gets high and how nitrous oxide impacts the brain. When someone inhales whippits from the steel canisters, the result is a lack of oxygen that initially produces lightheadedness. Without intervention, the lack of oxygen (known as hypoxia) can have severe and fatal effects on a person.

I ended up in the hospital for about two months, I overdosed, and I didn’t even know I overdosed. I got up to doing six cans a day, six cans of nitrous oxide a day.

Whippit abuse does not cause the same physiological changes in the body as some other drugs do. Rather, the desire to chase the high becomes psychologically addictive. This is why whippits are particularly dangerous for adolescents, as they are more apt to think taking more of the drug will always be better and do not have the reasoning or desire to be able to stop.

Short And Long-Term Effects Of Whippit Abuse

Depending on their frequency of abuse, whippits pose both short-term and long-term health effects that range from memory loss to death. The effects of whippits can vary based on the drugs someone has used; the amount of nitrous oxide they have inhaled, if they have combined other drugs with it, and how often they have inhaled nitrous oxide.

Reported short-term effects of whippits include:

Long-term effects of whippit abuse include:

Vitamin B-12 Depletion

The continued misuse of nitrous oxide can lead to the dangerous depletion of vitamin B12 since the gas disrupts the body’s ability to absorb and process the vitamin. This can lead to adverse physical effects like tingling sensations in the limbs, nerve damage, and muscle atrophy. People who have formerly abused whippits have reported losing function of their limbs while high as well as experiencing partial paralysis from critical levels of B12 caused by nitrous oxide abuse.

Whippit Overdose

Overdose can occur due to a lack of oxygen and can present with these symptoms:

• Seizures
• Irregular heartbeat or heart palpitations
• Loss of consciousness
• Slowed breathing
• Blue or gray lips and fingernails

Call emergency services immediately if you suspect someone is experiencing a whippit overdose.

Signs Of Whippit Abuse

If you think someone you know may be abusing whippits, some common signs of whippit abuse include:

• Runny nose
• Red eyes
• Loss of appetite
• Sores around the mouth
• Presenting drunk

Ready To Get Help For Whippit Abuse?

Whippit abuse can have severe outcomes, but understanding the effects can help you identify if someone you love needs help.

Treatment allows for detox to occur, with the individual receiving support and hands-on monitoring when needed. Contact a treatment provider today to learn more.

Featured Centers Offering Treatment for Whippit Addiction