If you’ve watched an episode of HBO’s “Girls,” you might recall one from Season 2 where Hannah and Jessa join two boys for a convertible joyride through the countryside. However, things quickly go awry when the group begins taking turns inhaling gas from the end of whipped cream cans. That scene is just one of many in movies and television that have made whippets into an infamous part of popular culture in search of a giddy, fleeting high.
The gas is a fairly common party drug that can make you feel euphoric, loopy, and confused, but what are whippets? Whippet use, however, comes with risks, and most people are unable to determine the exact chemical makeup of the drug.
Nitrous oxide, also known as “whippets” or “whip-its,” is a colorless gas with a sweet aftertaste that is used in many everyday household items. Nitrous oxide can be inhaled for a warm, tingling effect that can make you feel “happy drunk.” The drug is very accessible and affordable, which contributes to its popularity. In 2020, youth were drawn to the gas more than any other age group, with 26% of eighth-graders and 40% of tenth-graders being at risk of using the drug regularly.
Simple household items like whipped cream cans and sprayable cooking oil contain the gas, which is also available in over-the-counter canisters. Nitrous oxide is even used to make nitro coffee. Depending on how much you inhale, the effects of using an inhalant can last for up to a few minutes.
Read on for our comprehensive guide to the drug if you’ve ever had questions about whippets, their legality, their dangers, or how to use them safely.
What are whippets?
Whippets are small cartridges that contain nitrous oxide, whose recreational use dates back to the late 1770s.
“Nitrous oxide is a chemical compound that is classified in medicine as a dissociative anesthetic and is frequently used as a sedative during medical procedures,” says Dr. Clinician Michelle Forcier works for the LGBTQ+ telehealth provider FOLX Health. When inhaled recreationally, the substance can induce feelings of euphoria, confusion, and floating; it can also depress all sensations and separate the user from themselves and their surroundings. According to Forcier, it can also affect perception and coordination, though the specific high can vary from person to person based on usage.
“Because obtaining whippets is easier compared to obtaining other illegal drugs, they are frequently used by teens and young people,” Forcier said. This is partly due to the drug’s wide availability; besides being used in products as common as whipped cream, you’ll often find them being sold in smoke and sex shops. Their use is particularly popular for teens between the ages of 12 to 17 years old, who were almost two times as likely to have used whippets than young adults ages 18 to 25, according to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Users will puncture a container to release the gas to be inhaled; it is typically sold in small aluminum containers known as “chargers” (so named for the way they “charge” a whipping cream dispenser with the gas, thus aerosolizing and whipping the contents). Chargers can be opened and released into balloons, bags, whipped cream dispensers, and other objects. It’s crucial to remember that opening canisters without a proper rig can be extremely dangerous. “Intense pressures released can cause the canisters to explode and rupture the lungs,” Forcier warned.
Whippets are frequently used by people to enhance their euphoric effects during nights out. Some people take whippets or even a hit right before having an orgasm to intensify their sexual pleasure.
The drug’s effects start right away and last for several minutes. Although it is legal to buy all the supplies needed to make whippets, doing so recreationally is not permitted. Because of this, it is crucial to understand how to use these materials safely and any potential side effects before dabbling.
The drug can be addictive, but not in the way you might be used to. Using nitrous oxide repetitively over a prolonged time period can cause you to develop a psychological dependence on the drug; though you won’t face any significant withdrawal symptoms, apart from cravings to use more nitrous. “Whippets are not addictive in the classic sense that narcotics are addictive, and do not target or affect the same brain receptors and chemistries,” says Forcier. “However, when a substance gets in the way of healthy functioning, activities and relationships then treating it as an addiction might be useful.”Most Popular
Are whippets safe to do?
Whippets are not risk-free; they can result in cardiac arrest or fainting when combined with other depressants or stimulants. Given that the pressurized canisters they are released from can reach temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the medication may result in frostbite if inhaled directly.
Asphyxiation is another serious risk. “Sudden death can occur, especially with prolonged or repeated inhalations of nitrous oxide because it removes oxygen from blood cells, depresses the central nervous system, and can strain the heart,” says Forcier. Particularly, she points out, in instances of extreme use, such as when using them in places with poor ventilation or inhaling them while wearing a bag over one’s head. Simultaneous use of other stimulants or depressants may also increase the risk of sudden death.
If you frequently use nitrous oxide, there are more serious side effects. Forcier asserts that nitrous oxide may have an impact on the prefrontal cortex, which houses the parts of your brain responsible for learning, making decisions, and memory. Chronic use can lead to neurological damage, especially in children and teenagers.
Although Forcier advises against using other depressants or stimulants concurrently, there isn’t much information on the effects of combining whippets with other medications, so the risks are unclear. Forcier claims that combining whippets with drugs like cannabis, ketamine, and other dissociative substances may result in a more potent out-of-body experience. According to Forcier, taking whippets with alcohol may exacerbate feelings of confusion, fatigue, and lack of coordination, and taking whippets with stimulants may increase heart stress and cause changes in heart rate or blood pressure.
When doing whippets, you should use the buddy system. Whippet use is not advised if you are alone because you run the risk of experiencing a negative reaction without assistance. It is best to avoid breathing in the gas directly by covering your head with a plastic bag or when there is a risk of serious injury if you pass out (such as when operating a motor vehicle, being in or near water, or when at a height). Your surroundings must be well-ventilated, open, and far away from anything flammable like cigarettes or flames. You can discharge the canister into a balloon to allow the gas to warm up and inhale more slowly so that you don’t get frostbite or the gas erupts quickly into your mouth and lungs.
Recognizing that there is a problem with your whippet use or that you are struggling with addiction is the first step. Therapy is always a great option if it’s available, especially for addressing both the habit and the reasons behind one’s use. You might also inquire about nitrous oxide-specific programming at your neighborhood substance abuse or recovery services. Consider whether or not whippet use is having a more detrimental effect on your life, Forcier advises. “Substance use is common and a part of most cultures. For long-term health and safety, it’s essential to use drugs responsibly. ”.
Are whippets legal?
Whipping cream dispensers are one of the most widely used methods of preparing whippets. Although all ingredients used to make whippets, such as whipped cream canisters, are acceptable, eating them is not. The Psychoactive Substances Act of 2016 makes it illegal in all states to use Nitrous Oxide canisters for recreational purposes. Some states are attempting to restrict access and recreational “Whip-it” use by putting forth legislation that would prohibit the use of the drug in smoke shops.
They are still available right now in sex shops and smoke shops under the pretense that they will be used to make whipped cream. As with all drugs, it is crucial to approach whippets with caution and take safety precautions before inhaling.
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FAQ
Is there nitrous oxide in whipped cream cans?
The mixture of cream and nitrous oxide in disposable whipped cream cans is forced out of the bottle’s nozzle under pressure.
How much NOS is in a whipped cream can?
Small metal cylinders typically used in whipped cream siphons are known by the colloquial term “nang.” They are also called nossies or whippets. Eight grams or so of nitrous oxide, which can be inhaled to produce a euphoric effect, are contained in the cylinders.
How many grams of nitrous are in Reddi Whip?
We sell nitrous oxide chargers and whip cream canisters, which greatly simplify and standardize the procedure. 8 grams of pure nitrous oxide, or about 1 pint of liquid whipping cream, are contained in each charger.
What happens if you inhale nitrous oxide from whipped cream?
Abusing nitrous oxide can have long-term negative effects on one’s health, including sudden and irreversible brain damage, seizures, and loss of lung function. Having trouble metabolizing vitamin B12, which is vital for brain health and can be fatal