Nitrous oxide, colloquially known as “laughing gas,” has diverse applications, ranging from pain management in dentistry to a propellant in whipped cream dispensers.
However, its euphoric effects, long understood, have become a significant concern with the rise of vaping, providing a readily available and increasingly dangerous method of consumption, experts warn.
Meg Caldwell’s death was preventable.
The Florida equestrian began recreational nitrous oxide use in college eight years prior. Her usage intensified during the pandemic, mirroring a pattern seen in many young adults.
The youngest of four sisters, she was described as “the light of our lives,” by her sister Kathleen Dial in a BBC interview.
Caldwell’s addiction spiraled, severely impacting her life.
An overdose resulted in temporary paralysis and incontinence. Despite this, she continued her habit, purchasing nitrous oxide from local smoke shops, inhaling it in parking lots, and immediately returning for more, sometimes spending hundreds of dollars daily.
Tragically, she died last November in a parking lot near a vape shop.
“She believed it was safe because she was buying it legally at a smoke shop,” Ms. Dial explained.
Caldwell’s trajectory—from casual misuse to fatal addiction—reflects a growing trend. The Annual Report of America’s Poison Centers indicated a 58% increase in intentional nitrous oxide exposure reports between 2023 and 2024.
Severe inhalation can cause hypoxia, depriving the brain of oxygen, potentially leading to death. Chronic use can result in vitamin B12 deficiency, causing nerve damage, spinal degradation, and paralysis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported an over 110% increase in nitrous oxide poisoning deaths between 2019 and 2023.
The UK criminalized nitrous oxide possession in 2023 due to increased misuse during the pandemic. While many US states have restricted recreational use, it remains legally sold as a culinary product. Only Louisiana has implemented a complete retail ban.
Major manufacturers, such as Galaxy Gas, even offer culinary recipes on their websites, featuring dishes like Chicken Satay with Peanut Chili Foam. The availability of flavored varieties, like Blue Raspberry or Strawberries and Cream, coupled with changes in packaging and retail distribution, has significantly contributed to misuse, experts caution.
Previously, users typically consumed the gas from small, 8g canisters. However, with increased demand, larger 2kg canisters became available online and in vape shops, alongside visually appealing packaging featuring popular characters.
Pat Aussem of the Partnership to End Addiction links these factors to the surge in misuse:
“Names like Galaxy Gas or Miami Magic are marketing,” she stated. “Larger canisters increase accessibility, leading to peer pressure and experimentation.”
The BBC contacted Galaxy Gas and Miami Magic for comment but received no response. Amazon, where the gas is sold, acknowledged customer misuse and is implementing additional safety measures. In a response to CBS News, Galaxy Gas reiterated its culinary intent and stated that warnings against misuse are included on their website.
Concerns heightened last year after several viral videos depicting nitrous oxide use emerged.
Social media trends showcased young people inhaling the gas. A July 2024 video from an Atlanta fast-food restaurant featuring a young man inhaling Strawberries and Cream-flavored nitrous oxide garnered 40 million views and numerous copies.
The substance’s misuse was prominently featured in rap music videos and Twitch streams, with appearances on the Joe Rogan Show and public statements by rappers like Ye (formerly Kanye West), who has since sued his dentist for alleged reckless nitrous oxide provision.
In response, TikTok blocked searches for “galaxy gas,” directing users to resources on substance abuse. Rapper SZA also warned her followers about its dangers, criticizing its “mass marketing to Black children.”
The FDA issued an official warning in March against inhaling nitrous oxide, citing increased adverse event reports. The FDA confirmed to the BBC their continued monitoring of adverse events and commitment to public health protection.
However, for some, these warnings arrived too late.
In 2023, the family of Marissa Politte, a 25-year-old radiology technician, won a $745 million lawsuit against Nitrous Distributor United Brands after her death in a nitrous oxide-related traffic accident. The jury held the company responsible for knowing the product would be misused.
“Marissa Politte’s death was preventable, and it should be the last,” stated Johnny Simon, the Politte family’s lawyer. Numerous fatal traffic accidents involving nitrous oxide have since occurred in the US and UK.
Meanwhile, Ms. Caldwell’s family has initiated a class-action lawsuit against nitrous oxide manufacturers and distributors, aiming to remove the product from retail sales nationwide.
“Dentists undergo extensive training for nitrous oxide administration,” she noted. “It’s absurd that it’s readily available in smoke shops to anyone.”
“Manufacturers and smoke shop owners have clearly failed to act responsibly and remove this from shelves,” Ms. Dial concluded.
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