According to an analysis by the the National Library of Medicine, some risks in using nitrous oxide include paresthesia, weakness, equilibrium disorders, electric shocks down the spine, and loss of muscle control.
Are whippets safe to do?
Whippets aren’t risk-free; they can cause fainting or cardiac arrest when using other depressants or stimulant drugs. If inhaled directly, the drug can cause frostbite, given the pressurized canisters they are dispensed from can reach temperatures as cold as negative 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Asphyxiation is another serious risk. “Because nitrous oxide displaces oxygen from blood cells, depresses the central nervous system, and can strain the heart, sudden death can occur, especially with extended or repeated inhalations,” Forcier says. Especially, she notes, in cases of extreme use, like using them in poorly ventilated spaces or inhaling them with a bag over one’s head. Using other stimulants or depressants simultaneously might increase the risk of sudden death, too.
There are more severe nitrous oxide side effects if you use them a lot. According to Forcier, nitrous oxide can affect the prefrontal cortex, which contains your brain’s areas of learning, decision making, and memory. Neurologic damage can occur after chronic use, especially in young people and teens.
According to Forcier, there isn’t much data on the effects of using whippets with other drugs, so the risks are unclear, though it is not recommended to use other depressants or stimulants at the same time. Forcier says using whippets with other substances like cannabis, ketamine, and other dissociative drugs may create a more intense out-of-body experience. Using whippets with alcohol may cause more feelings of confusion, fatigue, and lack of coordination, and taking whippets with stimulants might put additional strain on the heart and changes in heat beats or blood pressure, Forcier says.
When doing whippets, you should use the buddy system. It is not recommended that you use whippets if you are alone, as you can have an adverse reaction without someone there to help. It is best to not inhale the gas directly, using a plastic bag placed over your head, or in situations where if you pass out, you have the potential for serious injury (like driving a car, being in water or near heights). Your environment must be well-ventilated, open, and not near cigarettes, flames, or flammable substances. To avoid frostbite or rapid propulsion into your mouth and lungs, you can discharge the canister into a balloon to allow for the gas to warm up and to inhale more slowly.
And if you think your whippet use is becoming a problem or you are facing addiction, acknowledging that it is a problem is the first step. If available to you, therapy is always a great option, especially for tackling not just the habit but the reasons behind one’s use. Getting in touch with your local substance use or recovery services to find out programming specific to nitrous oxide use is also something to consider. “It’s important to consider whether or not whippet use is creating a larger negative impact on your life,” Forcier says. “Substance use is common and a part of most cultures. Using substances safely and in moderation are critical to long-term health and safety.”
Are whippets legal?
One of the most popular ways to do whippets is through whipped cream dispensers. Though all of the materials to do whippets, like whipped cream canisters, are legal, their consumption is not. The recreational use of Nitrous Oxide canisters is illegal in all states under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016. Some states are attempting to limit access and recreational “Whip-it” use by proposing bills to ban the “Whip-its” from smoke shops.
At this time, they can still be purchased at smoke shops and at sex shops under the guise that they will be used to make whipped cream. As with all drugs, it’s important to approach whippets cautiously, and make sure you are taking safety precautions before inhaling.
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