CBS News
The “Galaxy Gas” trend whipping up controversy on social media
“Galaxy Gas” is a new spin on an old drug — nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas or by the nickname “whippets.” Marketed in colorful cylinders as whipped cream chargers, with flavors including “mango smoothie” and “vanilla cupcake,” these pressurized nitrous oxide products are intended to be sold for culinary use. Galaxy Gas is just one of many nitrous oxide brands, and on social media the name has become a catchall term for nitrous oxide products featured in hundreds of videos showing young people inhaling the gas to get high, with potentially dangerous consequences.
Dr. Madeline Renny, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Mount Sinai Health System in New York City, warned that even a single use of the gas could lead to significant health concerns or even prove fatal.
“There can be a range of symptoms, from headache, lightheadedness, palpitations, passing out, and then in some cases, death,” Renny said. In the U.K., the 2023 death of a college student has been linked to nitrous oxide, BBC News reported.
The trend gained popularity online in recent months, as video game streamers, influencers and musicians featured nitrous oxide in their content. CBS News Confirmed found dozens of videos depicting people inhaling nitrous oxide on TikTok, YouTube and X (formerly Twitter) with views in the hundreds of thousands. In some videos, the gas is inhaled as part of a challenge or social media dare. Other videos feature songs dedicated to the high from the gas.
Misuse of the gas has become so prevalent that several musicians, from rapper Lil’ Gnar to singer SZA, have spoken out against it. SZA tweeted a warning that it causes brain cells to die and “is being MASS marketed to black children.”
In response to concerns, some platforms have taken action to try to limit the spread of videos featuring people using Galaxy Gas. YouTube, which says it “doesn’t allow content that encourages dangerous or illegal activities,” has age-restricted some videos, and TikTok now sends those searching for #GalaxyGas to a warning and resources about substance abuse. But in reality, users can circumvent those restrictions by slightly adjusting the search terms. Searches for “Galaxy Gas” and slightly different wordings like “galaxy gass” and “nitrous gas” still show videos of people inhaling the products and there are still numerous unrestricted videos of people using the gas on YouTube.
Nitrous oxide gas is easily accessible
Various brands of nitrous oxide canisters can easily be bought online from major marketplaces including Walmart, Amazon, and Ebay. But Megan Paquin, a spokesperson for the company that makes Galaxy Gas, told CBS News that sales were stopped on Sept. 19, “out of an abundance of caution due to the social media trend,” and a number of major online retailers now list it as out of stock.
Though most stores require users to be over 18 to order them, they’ve still made their way into the hands of many teens.
Nationally, more than 25 million people over the age of 12 may have tried inhalants, according to a survey from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. And data shows adolescents from 12-17 more commonly use whippets than those who are 18 and older.
Renny called the wave of social media accessible to younger kids alarming, saying young people often have a lower perception of the risk and that a product’s packaging may inspire them to try it.
“Any time there are bright colors or designs that are appealing to youths, that’s going to make them want to try something more,” said Renny. “Whereas if something was boring, someone might not be as interested in using it.”
The Food and Drug Administration regulates nitrous oxide as a food product, considering it to be generally recognized as safe to consume properly when of suitable purity. Misuse of the gas is considered a crime in many states.
Who owns Galaxy Gas?
According to records obtained by CBS News, Galaxy Gas, LLC was founded in 2021 and registered to Khalil Amor, who is also listed as co-owner of a chain of smoke and vape shops that boasts more than 65 locations. After the product began to trend on social media, Galaxy Gas placed a disclaimer on its website warning that it is illegal to use their products as an inhalant.
“While Galaxy Gas has been the focus of many news reports and social media videos, many of the videos show individuals misusing other, unrelated nitrous oxide products. Galaxy Gas is neither the only nor the largest nitrous oxide brand,” Paquin said.
The nitrous tanks featured in online videos come in large sizes, some exceeding 1 liter, which could provide thousands of servings of whipped cream if used for culinary purposes. When asked in what situation someone would need that much whipped cream, Paquin stated the product was sold in vape and sex shops because it was intended as an “erotic culinary lubricant” and that some people may require that much for their purposes.
What to do in an emergency
In an emergency situation, if a person suspected of using inhalants is unconscious, Renny says the first step is to administer CPR and then to call 911 for assistance.
Another important preventative measure is simply to have open conversations with young people about the trends they encounter online.
“Physicians, schools and parents can all be involved,” said Renny. “Especially in light of social media trends that we know have been dangerous.”
The crackdown on Galaxy Gas and other nitrous oxide content only came after multiple calls for change from celebrities, influencers and parents. As dangerous social media trends continue to emerge online, parents and medical professionals will have to remain vigilant and look out for potentially harmful information on the apps kids use daily.
contributed to this report.
CBS News
Israeli military says “targeted” ground operation in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah has begun
The Israeli military says it has begun a “limited, localized” ground operation against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.
In posts shared on social media, the Israeli military said it was carrying out “targeted ground raids” in villages close to the Israeli border. The targets, it said, pose an “immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel.”
It announced that the operation has been planned in recent months and was launched after approval by political leaders. The troop movement comes in the wake of days of Israeli airstrikes which killed the leader of Hezbollah and a number of the group’s commanders in Beirut.
“The ground forces are accompanied in an attack effort by the air force and artillery forces,” the statement said, “which attack military targets in the area in a coordinated effort with the ground forces fighters.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
CBS News
Tampa Seminole Hard Rock Casino partially evacuated after 2 “crude” explosive devices found
Two explosive devices were discovered hidden at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Tampa, Florida, on Sunday and Monday, prompting partial evacuations, the police said Monday.
The devices were deactivated and removed from the premises, the Seminole Police Department said in a statement.
The first “crude concealed device with fireworks components” was found in a men’s room next to the casino shortly before midnight on Sunday night. The device was “quickly deactivated with cooperation and support from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Disposal Team,” the police said. “Part of the casino was immediately evacuated, then reopened about 3 a.m., after the device was deactivated and removed.”
During the investigation prompted by the first device, a second concealed explosive was discovered in a men’s room shortly after noon on Monday in the mezzanine area of the casino, the Seminole Police Department said. The mezzanine area was evacuated and the second device was also deactivated and removed with help from Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Bomb Disposal Team.
The Seminole Police Department said it was working with the FBI and reviewing surveillance video as part of the ongoing investigation.
All areas of the casino have reopened, police said Monday.
CBS News
Port workers at East and Gulf Coast terminals steam toward a strike for the first time since 1977
U.S. ports along the East and Gulf Coasts are set to close on Tuesday, with the union representing tens of thousands of dockworkers and an industry group representing port operators and shipping companies at loggerheads over a new labor contract.
Experts warn that prolonged work stoppage could lead to higher costs on goods around the nation and create shortages ahead of the holiday shopping season. A one-week strike could cost the economy nearly $3.8 billion and increase the cost of consumer goods, according to the Conference Board, which called the situation a “political minefield” given that it comes just ahead of the November presidential election.
Other estimates of the potential economic hit also suggest the strike could take a toll, although the losses would likely amount to a small fraction of the nearly $29 trillion U.S. economy.
“A port strike could cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars a day, hurting American businesses, workers and consumers across the country,” Business Roundtable CEO Joshua Bolten said in a statement this weekend. “We urge both sides to come to an agreement before Monday night’s deadline.”
Such a breakthrough seemed unlikely as of late Monday afternoon.
The contract between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), which represents the ports and ocean carriers, expires at midnight Monday. A strike is set to officially kick off as of 12:01 Eastern Time on Tuesday, according to the ILA.
The two sides haven’t been at the bargaining table since June, and as of Monday afternoon there was little sign that they were set to resume talks.
A total of 14 ports involving some 25,000 workers could be affected by the strike, according to USMX: Baltimore; Boston; Charleston, South Carolina; Jacksonville, Florida; Miami; Houston; Mobile, Alabama; New Orleans; New York/New Jersey; Norfolk, Virginia; Philadelphia; Savannah, Georgia; Tampa, Florida; and Wilmington, Delaware.
The ILA is demanding sizable wage hikes and a complete ban on the use of automated cranes, gates and container-moving trucks in unloading or loading freight at ports handling about half of the country’s ship cargo.
“The ocean carriers represented by USMX want to enjoy rich billion-dollar profits that they are making in 2024, while they offer ILA longshore workers an unacceptable wage package that we reject,” the union said in a statement on Monday.
USMX did not immediately return a request for comment.
If a strike were deemed to threaten national health or safety, under the Taft-Hartley Act President Joe Biden could seek a court order requiring an 80-day cooling-off period. But Biden administration officials have repeatedly said he would not take to action to prevent a strike and that the contract dispute should be resolved through collective bargaining.
“Senior officials have been in touch with USMX representatives urging them to come to a fair agreement fairly and quickly — one that reflects the success of the companies. Senior officials have also been in touch with the ILA to deliver the same message,” White House spokesperson Robyn Patterson said.
With the first strike by the ILA at East and Gulf Coast cargo terminals since 1977 seemingly imminent, officials in New York and New Jersey have been working to minimize any potential supply-chain disruptions, setting up trucks to transport food and medical supplies.
Fuels like home heating oil and diesel gas are transported in ways that wouldn’t be impacted by a strike, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a news conference on Monday, although she noted that the “potential for disruption is significant.”
New York does not expect shortages of essential goods anytime soon, so there’s no need to run to the grocery store and stockpile goods as occurred during the pandemic, Hochul said. Although there might be shortages of individual food items. such as bananas, should a strike persist longer than a few weeks, the state would continue to get food shipments from major markets including Canada, California and Mexico, as well as from New York itself, the governor added.
The automobile industry could feel a more immediate impact, however, with Hochul cautioning would-be buyers to call ahead.
“If you’re expecting a new car this week, it may be something you want to check with your dealer. It may not be arriving, for example, in the next few weeks,” she warned.
