LANSING, MI — Michigan health officials say misuse of nitrous oxide is becoming a more serious public health problem, with more frequent emergency calls and worse health outcomes across the state.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says people are inhaling the gas in forms sometimes called whippets, balloons, Galaxy Gas or NOS. While nitrous oxide has legitimate uses in medical settings and in food preparation, officials say recreational misuse can lead to urgent medical problems.
State leaders are now warning families, especially parents of teens, to recognize the products, understand the risks and seek help early if someone is using them repeatedly.
What nitrous oxide is and how people misuse it
Nitrous oxide is a gas used as a sedative in health care and also commonly found in whipped-cream chargers. In cases of misuse, people inhale it to get a short-lived high.
Officials say “whippets” usually refers to inhaling from small metal canisters made for cream siphons. “Balloons” describes another common way of inhaling the gas. Galaxy Gas is a branded nitrous oxide product sold in flavored varieties, while NOS is another name often used for the gas in recreational settings.
Health officials say these terms can make the practice sound harmless, even though the effects can be dangerous, especially when use is frequent or the amount inhaled is large.
State data shows more emergency visits and poison center cases
MDHHS says it has tracked 144 poison center cases, 132 emergency department visits and 192 emergency medical service responses tied to nitrous oxide misuse from 2019 through 2023. The department says those numbers increased each year during that period.
More recent data show the trend continuing. Among 112 cases identified between 2024 and May 2026, 34% resulted in a hospital admission and 7% required intensive care.
Officials said nearly half of the reported cases led to medically significant outcomes, including numbness, tingling in the hands or feet, trouble walking and balance problems.
Symptoms range from mood changes to loss of consciousness
Michigan health officials say repeated or heavy nitrous oxide use can affect both the body and the brain. The list of possible harms includes anxiety, depression, mood changes, memory trouble, confusion and paranoia.
Physical risks can include anemia, blood clots, shortness of breath, impaired judgment, loss of consciousness, frostbite and asphyxiation. Officials also warned about neurological injury and other complications linked to prolonged use.
Because some of these symptoms can develop gradually, state leaders say people may not connect them to nitrous oxide right away. That delay can make the harm worse before someone gets care.
Officials say easy availability is part of the problem
State health leaders say nitrous oxide misuse has grown into a much larger public health concern since the 1990s. They point to the wide availability of canisters and gas products as one reason the problem keeps spreading.
According to MDHHS, the items can be bought openly in grocery stores, smoke shops, vape stores, gas stations, convenience stores and online. Some products are sold in colorful packaging or marketed with flavors, which officials say can create the false impression that they are low risk or harmless.
MDHHS says larger high-volume canisters are especially concerning because they can make heavy binge use easier and increase the chance of more severe health effects.
Doctors urge parents and users to seek help early
Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive, said products that are sold openly and marketed as legal can lead people to underestimate the danger. She said today’s larger canisters and prolonged use are producing more severe health effects.
Varun Vohra, senior academic director of the Michigan Poison & Drug Information Center at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, said recreational use is causing serious harm, including neurological injuries, blood-clotting events and psychiatric harm from chronic repeated use. He also urged parents to talk with their teens.
Dr. Matt Dellaquila, president of the Michigan Society of Anesthesiologists, said nitrous oxide is a valuable medical tool when used under trained supervision, but can become dangerous and even life-threatening when used recreationally.
Where Michigan residents can turn for help
Health officials say anyone who notices troubling symptoms should stop using nitrous oxide immediately and get medical care. They are also encouraging residents and health care providers to call the Michigan Poison Control Department at (800) 222-1222 with questions or for support.
MDHHS says substance use disorder services are available across Michigan, along with treatment and recovery resources online. Officials are urging people to act early rather than waiting for symptoms to become severe.
The state’s warning comes as health leaders say the problem is not limited to a single age group, even though teens and young people may be especially exposed to products sold with appealing labels and flavors.
