The term “whippet drug” is a common street name for the recreational inhalation of nitrous oxide. This colorless, non-flammable gas is often referred to as “laughing gas” due to the euphoric effects it can induce. While widely used in medicine and commercial industries, the gas is frequently abused for its psychoactive properties. The ease of access to this substance has contributed to its growing popularity, despite the serious and specific health risks associated with its misuse.
Defining the Substance and Its Source
The name “whippet” is derived from the small, pressurized steel cartridges that contain the gas, which are commercially known as whipped cream chargers. These chargers are designed to be inserted into a dispenser to aerosolize whipped cream, utilizing the nitrous oxide as a propellant. The gas itself is used legitimately in various fields, including a regulated mixture for medical and dental anesthesia.
For recreational use, the small, disposable cartridges are the most common source, though larger tanks are also sometimes used. Since inhaling directly from the canister is extremely hazardous, users often employ devices like a “cracker” or a whipped cream dispenser to release the gas. The nitrous oxide is typically discharged into a balloon before being inhaled. This makes the act of consumption slightly safer by allowing the gas to warm up and depressurize. The substance used for misuse is generally commercial-grade, which is 100% nitrous oxide, unlike the medical-grade product that is always administered mixed with oxygen.
Acute Effects and Immediate Risks
The inhalation of nitrous oxide produces a rapid, short-lived “high” that is felt almost immediately and typically lasts for only a few minutes. Initial effects include a sense of euphoria, giddiness, lightheadedness, and temporary auditory distortions. The brevity of this experience often leads users to inhale repeatedly in a single session to prolong the dissociative and relaxing feelings.
The most immediate danger is asphyxiation from oxygen deprivation, known as hypoxia. When a person inhales pure nitrous oxide, the gas displaces the oxygen supply in the lungs, preventing it from reaching the brain. This lack of oxygen can lead to fainting, seizures, loss of consciousness, and in rare cases, sudden death. Inhaling the high-pressure gas directly from the canister also carries the risk of barotrauma, injury to the lungs caused by the sudden change in pressure. Furthermore, the gas is extremely cold when released, posing a risk of severe frostbite or thermal injury to the lips, throat, and vocal cords.
Chronic Health Consequences
The most significant long-term consequence of repeated nitrous oxide use involves its specific action on Vitamin B12. Nitrous oxide irreversibly oxidizes the cobalt atom within the B12 molecule, rendering the vitamin completely inactive. This mechanism causes a functional Vitamin B12 deficiency, even if the person’s blood B12 levels appear normal.
Vitamin B12 is necessary for the proper function of the enzyme methionine synthase, which is responsible for maintaining the health of the nervous system. The resulting enzyme inhibition can lead to demyelination, the breakdown of the protective fatty sheath surrounding nerve fibers. Chronic misuse can cause neurological issues, including peripheral neuropathy. Symptoms of nerve damage often begin with tingling, numbness, and weakness in the hands and feet.
If the misuse is heavy and sustained, the damage can progress to myelopathy, a condition involving the spinal cord that may result in difficulty walking, severe lack of coordination, and even functional paralysis. This severe neurological damage can be difficult to reverse, even with intensive treatment. Repeated exposure may also contribute to psychological dependence and memory impairment.
Legal Status and Accessibility
Nitrous oxide remains highly accessible because it is a legal commercial product, not a federally controlled substance in the United States. Its widespread use in the food and medical industries means the cartridges and larger tanks are easily purchased online or in various retail stores. This ready availability is a primary factor contributing to its misuse.
However, the legal framework often focuses on the intent of the purchaser and seller rather than the substance itself. Many state and local jurisdictions have laws prohibiting the sale of the gas to minors or specifically criminalizing its possession with the intent of achieving intoxication. These laws often fall under broader prohibitions against inhalant abuse, attempting to curb recreational use without interfering with legitimate commercial applications. As a result, while buying a canister for culinary purposes is legal, using it to get high constitutes an illegal act in many places.