It’s official. Galaxy Gas has made its way to Big Rapids.
Galaxy Gas, containing nitrous oxide, is a popular flavored whipped cream additive. However, the newest internet craze has seen intensive misuse of the product, which can result in severe health consequences.
Misuse of nitrous oxide to achieve a short-term euphoric high is linked to several health complications, including hypoxia, lightheadedness, impaired motor coordination, frostbite and heart irregularities. Long-term or repeated misuse has led to brain and nerve damage. There have been previous trends with the products, including the misuse of whip cream cans, called whip-its, where the aerosol canister gasses are inhaled to get a high.
According to Rise Smoke Shop employee Adrianna Baker, there are many sales of Galaxy Gas.
“I’ve been asked about Galaxy Gas specifically, multiple times, especially since the college kids did come back to town,” Baker said. “I’ve been asked about it at least 30 times. For legal reasons, it’s for food purposes only. It says that on the receipt and on the shelves, but who’s coming here to buy Reddi-whip for your ice cream?”
In addition, Baker explained that selling nitrous oxide can be tricky, especially with its recent portrayal on social media. These recent media trends have changed the reputation of Galaxy Gas from a culinary tool to a popularized misused substance.
“We don’t sell the Galaxy Gas brand here, but we do sell nitrous oxide, which is exactly what that is,” Baker said. “If they ask for Galaxy Gas, we have to suggest a look at other things we sell. Because of sales, I still have to do that, but it’s not a great thing to buy or sell. It’s really garbage. It’ll kill you. But, you know, it’s the new popular drug. It’s the new coke.”
Typically sold in party stores and smoke shops, part of the regulation for purchasing nitrous oxide is a valid ID, presenting the individual as 18 or older.
According to Bulldog Party Store owner Giani Singh Ji, regulations for selling Galaxy Gas are specific and strict.
“You can only use this product for food purposes,” Ji said. “When somebody comes up to the counter to buy the product, we have to see the ID.”
In addition, Ji mentioned that the Bulldog Party Store does not sell a large quantity of Galaxy Gas. Moreover, sales of the product have so far been infrequent. He also noted that Galaxy Gas is responsible for all advertising for the product, with the party store having no hand in the matter.
Despite restrictions on selling Galaxy Gas, students in the community still seem uneasy about the presence of nitrous. Radiography junior Olivia Landry expressed concern with the regulation around nitrous oxide.
“I don’t feel that’s really a safe thing readily available to everybody in the public,” Landry said. “Maybe if that was regulated more, it’d be misused less.”
Industrial chemistry junior Mya Hazley expressed similar doubts about Galaxy Gas being sold in town.
“I think it’s kind of predatory,” Hazley said. “I think it’s preying on college kids who don’t know enough about the dangers of doing stuff like that. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I don’t like it. They’re not going to sell that anywhere that isn’t a college party store, because they know their target audience, and that’s why they’re selling it there.”
At the time of this article, both the Bulldog Party Store and Rise Smoke Shop report that there has been no issue with underage individuals trying to purchase Galaxy Gas.