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Officials warn of dangerous ‘Galaxy Gas’ trend

By WHIO Staff
By WHIO Staff

Officials are warning parents and kids about a viral TikTok trend that could be deadly.

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As reported on News Center 7 at 5:30, Galaxy Gas, a brand of canned Nitrous Oxide for culinary use, has taken social media by storm, according to our news partners at Boston 25 News.

Young adults can be seen inhaling the gas that causes lightheadedness, dizziness, and weakness.

In a letter, Meldfield School District in Massachusetts warned parents and students about the deadly trend.

Dr. Dave Worthley, director of the Social Emotional Learning department asks students questions like, “What kinds of stuff are you seeing online? What kinds of stuff are you exposed to? What do you see as far as your friends? What do you see in other communities?”

Dr. Worthley and the district issued a statement to parents this week about the TikTok trend that can cause long-term damage.

The statement about Galaxy read in part:

  • It is easy to get.
  • It is legal to purchase over 18
  • It is technically for culinary purposes only
  • It is being packaged in bright, fun colors and designs to appeal to kids
  • It is in all areas Vape shops
  • It is extremely dangerous and can lead to brain injury, cardiac injury, and death.
  • Galaxy Gas may have paused distribution (on Friday) but many other brands are selling Nitrous Oxide, and Vape shops, Walmart, and other places have lots of stock, as well as Amazon.

David Richards, CEO of Fish Public Relations and a professor at Emerson College, said this is the latest of many social media trends.

“Parents are 10 steps behind,” he said.

Richards blamed young adults with easy access to social media as the root cause of the viral trend.

He added, “It’s exposing children to all kinds of issues and problems and bad behaviors.”

Galaxy Gas reportedly halted their sales Friday after the social media craze.

A statement on their website reads in part:

“Products containing nitrous oxide are sold solely as a food processing propellant for whipped cream and culinary food use only. It is unlawful for a person to purchase products containing nitrous oxide for any purpose not intended herein and legally authorized.”

The district is asking parents to have tough conversations with their children to safeguard them from dangerous substances.

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