Picture this… you walk into a vape store, walk over to the counter, and see a cabinet full of colorful bottles labeled “Galaxy Gas…”, what’s your first assumption? If your thoughts jump to something marketed as an inhalant or vape of some sort, your opinion mirrors most people who see this colorful product on the shelves. However, according to the company, this is most definitely not the case!
Galaxy Gas is an Atlanta-based company specializing in culinary products, one of which is a colorful and flavored canister full of nitrous oxide intended for the sole purpose of making whipped-cream. This “sole purpose,” however, has been questioned due to social media platforms advertising this product as an easy and tasty road to a short-term high, targeting young and impressionable audiences in the process. Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, has medically been used as a sedative for relieving anxiety and pain during dental procedures. However, with the numbers continuously rising, it has been estimated that around 13 million Americans have abused nitrous oxide as a party drug at some point throughout their lifetimes. Although the euphoria and dizziness-inducing high from inhaling nitrous oxide only lasts about 5-10 minutes, making it appeal to those searching for a short-term fix, abusing this drug can be absolutely detrimental to one’s physical health.
Many serious health issues have been traced back to abusing nitrous oxide, including, but not limited to, impairment of cardiovascular function leading to heart failure and serious injury due to impaired judgement. According to a 2024 article published in the journal Addiction, nitrous oxide was described to be potentially addictive, despite there being no scientific evidence factually backing this claim. Following the media’s backlash, a Galaxy Gas spokeswoman wrote in an email that the corporation was “deeply concerned about the recent news reports and social media posts of individuals illegally misusing” their products, emphasizing that both their “terms of use and conditions of sale strictly prohibit unlawful use, misuse or appeal to children”.
However, with hundreds if not thousands of uploaded videos showcasing young people abusing this product remaining on popular social media platforms such as TikTok, it’s getting increasingly harder to believe that the company didn’t design this product as an out-of-this-world financial death trap for young and impressionable audiences. The brand name, as well as the colorful packaging and delicious flavor, all heavily mirror the scandal involving nicotine companies marketing vapes to younger clientele.
What do you think? Is Galaxy Gas really just intended to be a culinary company, or are they mirroring the behaviors of the nicotine and e-cigarette industry by customizing their presentation and marketing to appeal younger audiences? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
