Whippets: Drug Dangers and Where to Get Help

Not to be confused with the breed of racing dog, the drug Whippets are a type of inhalant that utilizes nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide is a colorless, sweet-smelling gas that is often used in medical and dental procedures for its anesthetic and pain-reducing effects. Nitrous oxide has a long history as a pain reliever and continues to play a critical role in emergency medicine for pain management and sedation. Whippets are small cartridges—often steel canisters—containing this substance, and can include flavored brands like Galaxy Gas.

Because nitrous oxide is not a scheduled drug under US law and therefore is not subject to DEA enforcement, whippets are easy to find in everyday items.

It’s most commonly found in whipped cream dispensers, where the nitrous oxide is used to create the necessary pressure to whip and dispense the cream from the canister. In the food industry, nitrous oxide acts as a foaming agent in whipped cream production and other culinary applications. Nitrous oxide is also used in cooking sprays.

It’s also worth noting that whippets are often sold in head shops or online, and can be easily purchased by minors, which has led to concerns about their potential for abuse among young people.

Using the drug whippets recreationally is referred to as ‘doing whippets’ or ‘whip-its.’ Recreational nitrous oxide use, including inhaling nitrous oxide from canisters or balloons, is associated with significant health risks. Taking whippets brings on a short-term, intense euphoric high—often called a whippet high—that occurs rapidly and fades quickly, leading some users to repeat the process to sustain the feeling. Aside from euphoria, side effects of inhaling the gas include:

• Impaired speech

• Dizziness

• Headaches

• Drowsiness

• Poor coordination

Recreational use of nitrous oxide can be extremely dangerous. Misused nitrous oxide, especially when inhaled at higher concentrations, can lead to oxygen deprivation, which can cause a wide range of harmful effects, from confusion and dizziness to unconsciousness and death. Regular use can also lead to nerve damage and a variety of neurological problems, among other health risks.

Generally speaking, whippets aren’t terribly dangerous in the short term. One important exception to this is known as Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome (SSDS).

SSDS refers to a sudden, fatal cardiac arrest that can occur in individuals who abuse inhalants, due to the heart rhythm disturbances they can cause. Engaging in strenuous physical activity or simply being startled raises the likelihood of SSDS.

With repeat abuse, whippets can However, they can bring devastating health consequences over the long term.

The negative health consequences of whippets include:

• Brain damage

• Liver damage

• Hearing loss

• Kidney damage

• Vitamin b12 deficiency

• Nerve damage

• Damage to your bone marrow

• Behavioral development

• Appendage spasms

• Temporary loss of fine motor skills

• Irregular heart rate

• Lower blood pressure

• Ringing or buzzing in the ears

• Mental health issues

• Muscle weakness

• Cognitive impairment

• Peripheral neuropathy

Nitrous oxide misuse and whippet abuse can also cause damage to the spinal cord, leading to neurological deficits such as walking difficulties, tingling, numbness, and long-term nerve problems.

Risks of abuse whippits include warning signs like cracked canisters, odd-smelling balloons, and evidence of nitrous oxide misuse in the home. Mixing whippets with other inhalant drugs or other inhalants increases the risk of overdose, injury, and severe health complications. The dangers are even greater when mixing whippets with substances like alcohol, cannabis, or LSD, as this can amplify the risk of life-threatening reactions.

Whippets can also cause birth abnormalities if used during pregnancy.

Due to the lack of oxygen caused by whippet abuse, it is possible to die from whippet abuse due to asphyxiation, suffocation, seizures, or coma. Indirectly, fatal injury from accidents can also occur while using whippets.

Even if you do not die as a result of abusing the drug whippets, the lack of oxygen can cause lifelong damage to your brain and other organs.

Effects of Whippets On the Brain

Abusing nitrous oxide, especially through whippets, can have serious and lasting effects on the brain. When someone inhales nitrous oxide—often from whipped cream dispensers—the brain is deprived of oxygen, a condition known as hypoxia. This lack of oxygen can quickly damage brain cells, leading to a range of cognitive and mental health issues. While the euphoric effects of laughing gas may seem harmless at first, repeated use can result in significant health risks, especially for young adults who may not realize the dangers.

Whippets aren’t known to induce physical dependence but any substance that alters consciousness can become psychologically addictive. Whippets produce euphoric effects, which your brain can start to crave over repeat use. Nitrous oxide addiction is a real risk, as repeated substance use and drug use involving whippets can lead to serious health and psychological consequences.

There is no specialized treatment for whippet drug addiction. However, detoxification followed by behavioral therapy can be effective in treating whippet addiction. Professional treatment is crucial for addressing substance abuse and mental health issues, as integrated care is often needed to manage both substance abuse and mental health concerns together.

Because long-term misuse of nitrous oxide can lead to physical health problems from vitamin B12 deficiency, B12 injections may be beneficial as well. Inhalant use, such as whippet use, can cause individuals to experience withdrawal symptoms like irritability, cravings, and anxiety when they stop. If you start to notice whipping cream cans or other paraphernalia among a loved one’s things, know that there are treatment programs that can help. Developing healthy coping mechanisms is also an important part of recovery from drug abuse and inhalant addiction.