GHB / GBL
Nitrous Oxide (Whippets / Galaxy Gas)
Street names: Whippets, Whip-its, Laughing gas, NOS, Galaxy Gas, Balloons, Hippy crack
Overdose? Act now. Call emergency services — say "unresponsive, not breathing". Give naloxone for opioid-like signs. Hotlines
⚡What it does
- 30–60 second euphoria, giggling, floating
- Dissociation, sound distortion
- Brief numbness and warmth
⚠Key risks
- VITAMIN B12 DESTRUCTION — the signature harm: inactivates B12, causing progressive numbness, tingling, weakness, and in heavy users PERMANENT nerve damage ('drop foot', inability to walk)
- Oxygen deprivation — 100% nitrous displaces oxygen; unconsciousness and death
- Frostbite on lips/lungs from direct gas contact
- B12-deficiency anemia
- Psychological dependence — daily users report craving the brief escape
✚Overdose signs
- Blue lips/face (oxygen deprivation)
- Unconsciousness, unrousable
- Seizures
- Chest pain, irregular heartbeat
Category comparison — GHB / GBL
| Substance | Class | Top risks | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrous Oxide (Whippets / Galaxy Gas) | Legal to possess | VITAMIN B12 DESTRUCTION — the signature harm: inactivates B12, causing progressive numbness, tingling, weakness, and in heavy users PERMANENT nerve damage ('drop foot', inability to walk); Oxygen deprivation — 100% nitrous displaces oxygen; unconsciousness and death | ~$1–$3 per 8g charger |
| GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) | Schedule I/III | Dose curve is razor-thin — 1 mL too much = coma; Frequent dosing needed (90-min half-life) → dependence and brutal 24/7 withdrawal | ~$5–$20 per dose |
| GHB Liquid | Schedule I | Concentration unknown — strength varies bottle to bottle; Mixing with alcohol frequently fatal | ~$60–$150 per 100 mL |
| GHB Powder | Schedule I | Dissolving errors → misdosing; Hygroscopic powder clumps — uneven concentration | ~$40–$120 per 50 g where found |
| GBL (gamma-butyrolactone) | Schedule I | Stronger and faster than GHB; dosing even more unforgiving; Caustic — burns mouth/esophagus undiluted | ~$50–$150 per liter |
| Poppers (Alkyl Nitrites) | Legal to possess | Fatal blood-pressure crash when combined with Viagra/Cialis/Levitra (PDE5 inhibitors) — the classic killer combo; Methemoglobinemia at heavy/repeated use — blood stops carrying oxygen (blue lips, breathlessness) | ~$5–$20 per bottle |
Street prices are regional estimates. Potency and cuts vary constantly.
?Frequently asked questions
What does Nitrous Oxide (Whippets / Galaxy Gas) look like?
Small silver 8g chargers, large 500–640g 'Galaxy Gas' canisters (flavored), balloons filled with gas
What are the signs of a Nitrous Oxide (Whippets / Galaxy Gas) overdose?
Blue lips/face (oxygen deprivation); Unconsciousness, unrousable; Seizures Call emergency services immediately.
How addictive is it?
VITAMIN B12 DESTRUCTION — the signature harm: inactivates B12, causing progressive numbness, tingling, weakness, and in heavy users PERMANENT nerve damage ('drop foot', inability to walk) Withdrawal can be life-threatening — medical tapering is essential.