Latest news with #GalaxyGas
The Irish Sun
12 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Incredible moment widow HUGS husband's hit & run killer & forgives him as he bursts into tears in court
THIS is the astonishing moment a woman embraces her husband's hit-and-run killer in court and tells him he is forgiven. Joseph Tillman, 24, was sentenced to 20 years behind bars after killing Charles Johnson in a hit-and-run. Advertisement 6 Regina Johnson embraced her husband's killer, Joseph Tillman, in court Credit: Youtube/WSB-TV 6 Tillman reportedly whispered 'I am so sorry' in her ear Credit: Youtube/WSB-TV 6 Charles Johnson, known as Chuck, was killed in a hit-and-run Johnson was riding his bike on Towne Lake Parkway, Georgia at around 3:30pm on March 3 last year when he was fatally struck by a car. Charles - better known as Chuck - was rushed to hospital where he was treated for life-threatening injuries but tragically died a week later. Tillman later pleaded guilty to charges including homicide by vehicle, drinking under the influence, and reckless driving. Incredible footage taken in court shows the moment the 24-year-old breaks down in tears as the victim's wife, Regina Johnson, turns to embrace him. Advertisement The two share a long hug, prompting tears among members of the courtroom, as Regina tell the young lad she forgives him. Tillman then whispered to Regina: "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry," WSB-TV 2 reports. Watching on in disbelief, Cherokee County Superior Court Judge Tony Baker said: "I don't think I've ever seen the wife of a victim hug a defendant where they killed somebody." In an interview after the trial, Regina revealed she reached for her husband's killer because "God told her he needed a mom hug". Advertisement She said: "Joey needs healing of things in his past, as we all do. And that is our heart and prayer." The 24-year-old had been drinking at a sports bar and had bought whippets of Galaxy Gas - a dangerous nitrous oxide drug - before getting behind the wheel and passing out. Train hits van with driver inside, but miraculously, no one was injured After hitting Johnson, Tillman evaded the scene and another driver, who was also present at the time, was initially charged with the hit-and-run. Johnson has been sentenced to two decades in prison where will have to complete a two year inpatient rehab program, which could lead to suspended prison time. Advertisement Speaking in court, Tillman said: 'I've committed to the long road of making amends. I've entered rehab, embraced sobriety, began the hard, humbling work of healing. I know I do not deserve peace when I've caused so much pain.' While his defense lawyer, Paul Ghanouni, added: 'He's changed his way of life and seems like he's on a trajectory to continue to move forward with his life in a positive way.' Tributes have since poured in for Chuck who had a "joy for life" and could always be seen with a wide smile on his face. One grieving resident said: "He always had a smile, a joy for life, and always a big heart. Advertisement "I spent many hours with him and his family, always feeling welcome. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you." While another added: "So sorry for Chuck to have had been involved in such a tragic accident. Our sympathy to the family and may Chuck rest in peace." A third, who remembered Chuck for his generosity, said: "Chuck was a friend whose love of life, Jesus, family, theological discussions with me in various places in the world, and and gentle honesty has immeasurably enriched my life." The 78-year-old was a valued member of his community - serving in various ministries and helping in the local women's shelter. Advertisement He was married to Regina for 50 years and leaves behind his two adored sons and daughter, and five cherished granddaughters. 6 Joseph Tillman was sentenced to 20 years for killing Chuck Credit: Cherokee county Sheriff's Office 6 Footage shows the 24-year-old breaking down in tears Credit: Youtube/WSB-TV 6 In an interview Regina said she felt Joseph needed a 'mom hug' Credit: Youtube/WSB-TV
Scottish Sun
13 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Incredible moment widow HUGS husband's hit & run killer & forgives him as he bursts into tears in court
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THIS is the astonishing moment a woman embraces her husband's hit-and-run killer in court and tells him he is forgiven. Joseph Tillman, 24, was sentenced to 20 years behind bars after killing Charles Johnson in a hit-and-run. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Regina Johnson embraced her husband's killer, Joseph Tillman, in court Credit: Youtube/WSB-TV 6 Tillman reportedly whispered 'I am so sorry' in her ear Credit: Youtube/WSB-TV 6 Charles Johnson, known as Chuck, was killed in a hit-and-run Johnson was riding his bike on Towne Lake Parkway, Georgia at around 3:30pm on March 3 last year when he was fatally struck by a car. Charles - better known as Chuck - was rushed to hospital where he was treated for life-threatening injuries but tragically died a week later. Tillman later pleaded guilty to charges including homicide by vehicle, drinking under the influence, and reckless driving. Incredible footage taken in court shows the moment the 24-year-old breaks down in tears as the victim's wife, Regina Johnson, turns to embrace him. The two share a long hug, prompting tears among members of the courtroom, as Regina tell the young lad she forgives him. Tillman then whispered to Regina: "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry," WSB-TV 2 reports. Watching on in disbelief, Cherokee County Superior Court Judge Tony Baker said: "I don't think I've ever seen the wife of a victim hug a defendant where they killed somebody." In an interview after the trial, Regina revealed she reached for her husband's killer because "God told her he needed a mom hug". "Joey needs healing of things in his past, as we all do. And that is our heart and prayer," she said. The 24-year-old had been drinking at a sports bar and had bought whippets of Galaxy Gas - a dangerous nitrous oxide drug - before getting behind the wheel and passing out. Train hits van with driver inside, but miraculously, no one was injured After hitting Johnson, Tillman evaded the scene and another driver, who was also present at the time, was initially charged with the hit-and-run. Johnson has been sentenced to two decades in prison where will have to complete a two year inpatient rehab program, which could lead to suspended prison time. Speaking in court, Tillman said: 'I've committed to the long road of making amends. I've entered rehab, embraced sobriety, began the hard, humbling work of healing. I know I do not deserve peace when I've caused so much pain.' While his defense lawyer, Paul Ghanouni, added: 'He's changed his way of life and seems like he's on a trajectory to continue to move forward with his life in a positive way.' Tributes have since poured in for Chuck who had a "joy for life" and could always be seen with a wide smile on his face. One grieving resident said: "He always had a smile, a joy for life, and always a big heart. "I spent many hours with him and his family, always feeling welcome. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you." While another added: "So sorry for Chuck to have had been involved in such a tragic accident. Our sympathy to the family and may Chuck rest in peace." A third, who remembered Chuck for his generosity, said: "Chuck was a friend whose love of life, Jesus, family, theological discussions with me in various places in the world, and and gentle honesty has immeasurably enriched my life." The 78-year-old was a valued member of his community - serving in various ministries and helping in the local women's shelter. He was married to Regina for 50 years and leaves behind his two adored sons and daughter, and five cherished granddaughters. 6 Joseph Tillman was sentenced to 20 years for killing Chuck Credit: Cherokee county Sheriff's Office 6 Footage shows the 24-year-old breaking down in tears Credit: Youtube/WSB-TV
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Inside deadly ‘Whippets' epidemic which leaves victims brain damaged and incontinent… as dangerous craze spreads to UK
LURED in with child-like fruity flavours, a dangerous party drug has left a trail of destruction in the US - with fears it could spread to the UK. Known as whippets, canisters of nitrous oxide can legally be bought in shops - and in many states, children are able to buy the poisonous gas. 17 Online clips show US teens inhaling Galaxy Gas at school Credit: Instagram 17 Rachel Kelly, from Chicago, Illinois, was left with brain damage after she inhaled nitrous oxide straight out of the canister every day Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 17 Jordan Micu, from North Carolina, suffered seizures and learned to walk again after she got hooked on laughing gas Credit: Kennedy News 17 Possession of nitrous oxide became a criminal offence in the UK in 2023 Credit: Getty Nitrous oxide - also known as NOS - is most commonly inhaled via a balloon, but youngsters are now buying flavoured whipped cream canisters and inhaling them directly from the nozzle. Rather than 8g metal canisters littering the streets, whopping cans contain as much of 2kg of gas - meaning users can inhale massive quantities. The most notorious brand in the US is Galaxy Gas - which comes in child-friendly flavours such as mango smoothie, blueberry, strawberry cream and vanilla cupcake - similar to the marketing of disposable vapes. It became wildly popular among American teens, peaking last year when it was widely glorified in rap videos and social media clips. Read more world news LUCKY FIND Moment missing journalist is found & rescuers reveal how he survived for 5 days Footage of a user inhaling Galaxy Gas racked up 40million views - and inspired countless copycats. A viral song titled "Whippets" is available to watch on YouTube - showing youngsters bragging about their use of Galaxy Gas and repeatedly inhaling from the huge canisters. Although the canisters are intended for food use, guests have also tried it on the Joe Rogan podcast and Kanye West has spoken about his addiction to the substance. After furious backlash, the brand has withdrawn its products from the market and is now only available from a very limited selection of stores - but others are replacing it. In 2023, the UK government made nitrous oxide a Class C drug - but it's mostly failed to rid the streets of discarded metallic canisters. Balloon-huffing revellers still openly inhale at festivals, parties and in the streets. Laughing gas 'epidemic' sweeping party island with tourists left foaming at mouth, having seizures & permanently scarred In serious cases, users have become heavily addicted to the high and left needing rehab or hospital treatment after racing through as many as 15 canisters per day. But in the US, possession of nitrous oxide is legal - and authorities are struggling to crack down on the deadly craze. Between 2023 and 2024, there was a 58 per cent surge in reports of exposure to nitrous oxide in America according to official data. The number of deaths from nitrous oxide also rose by a staggering 110 per cent from 2019 to 2023. Rachel Kelly, from Chicago, inhaled so much nitrous oxide straight out of the canister every day that parts of her brain died and she was left in a wheelchair. 17 Rachel Kelly forked out $220 every day to inhale eight two-litre tanks of 'whippets' Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 17 Barmaid Rachel was left in a wheelchair from her laughing gas addiction Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 17 Whippets can easily be bought in shops - with authorities struggling to crack down on the craze Credit: FOX29 17 Videos of teens inhaling Galaxy Gas are viewed by millions of children online Credit: Getty She first tried the substance aged 21 and by 2023 the 29-year-old was paying $220 a day to inhale eight two-litre tanks. Rachel said "everyone" was using the drug and it was easy to buy at a local convenience store. But her habit left her in hospital unable to go to the toilet or walk on her own - forcing her to spend a month in a rehabilitation centre. Jordan Micu, 30, from North Carolina, was also left suffering seizures after getting hooked on the canisters as a 21-year-old college student. They're obviously being marketed to appeal for young people and not for its intended use Fiona Spargo-Mabbs In the US, shops often offer deals and colourful canisters can easily be found in smoke shops - despite their intended use for food production. Imyouski, 22, told GQ: "It's like an epidemic, all the young folks are on them. "It's too obtainable, I could literally drive down the street right now and go grab me how many I want." And in the UK, canisters are also widely available to purchase online. A range of brands have emerged with similar whacky flavours and bright marketing available online in the UK. 17 Baking Bad offers four different whacky flavours in vivid colours Credit: Baking Bad 17 Miami Magic also has sweet flavours and graphic marketing - like Galaxy Gas Credit: Miami Magic "Baking Bad" and "Miami Magic", both cream charger brands available online in the UK, have recently released new flavoured ranges. Baking Bad offers candy, strawberry, blueberry mango and watermelon lemon flavoured gas. Miami Magic, meanwhile, boasts rainbow, watermelon, blue raspberry and strawberry guava editions. The fruit combo flavours in particular are similar to many vapes that have hit the market in recent years. Fiona Spargo-Mabbs OBE, founder and director of drugs education charity the DSM foundation, told The Sun: "I googled nitrous oxide in the UK and it came up with a whole load of places you can buy it. "These social media trends or videos that go viral and are seen by loads of people. "It's a concern, it's always a concern. They're being marketed with cartoon characters, GTA imaging on the outside of canisters. "They're obviously being marketed to appeal for young people and not for its intended use." I think young people just see it as a bit of fun at first but then use it for self-medication for depression and anxiety Dan Gibbons Fiona, a member of the government's advisory council on the misuse of drugs, added: "Things that come from the states and social media, there can be so many influences in terms of the decisions young people make. "The exposure that young people have to drugs on social media is something I am concerned about." Dan Gibbons, from UK-based solvent abuse charity Re-Solv, told The Sun: "Galaxy Gas has not come across our radar as much in the UK but you can get it here. "I think young people just see it as a bit of fun at first but then use it for self-medication for depression and anxiety." 17 Meg Caldwell died in her car after getting hook on laughing gas Credit: NEWS 6 17 Canisters are widely available in smoke shops in America - making it easily accessible Credit: FOX29 17 Galaxy Gas has become a popular method to inhale nitrous oxide in the US Credit: Instagram 17 Galaxy Gas is sold in child-friendly flavours like Mango Smoothie He said he wouldn't be surprised if the huge canisters start to make an appearance at British festivals after being heavily promoted online in the US. Dan says Re-Solve has even seen an increase in referrals for laughing gas addiction since the government ban was imposed. Dr Gail Saltz told us: "There are teens who have suffered permanent neurological loss as a result of this behaviour. "And it certainly can kill you." The doctor explained that inhaling the gas can lead to a range of very serious medical problems - and even death in the most severe cases. She explained: "When you inhale high pressure nitrous oxide, you are not getting any oxygen to the brain - so that's oxygen depravation. "And that can cause a heart attack, a stroke, injury to the brain. "More persistent use can lead to other issues such as B12 deficiency, anaemia, and other neurological problems." Meg Caldwell, a horse rider from Florida, started using nitrous oxide recreationally while at university. But her usage got heavier to the point it "started ruining her life". After an overdose, Meg, 29, temporarily lost use of her legs and was left incontinent, but carried on spending hundreds of dollars a day on the gas. She died in November last year in a car park outside a vape shop. Her sister Leigh Caldwell told Boston 25: "She would spend $300, $400 at a smoke shop in a day. "Her whole life had become derailed due to her addiction to this drug." Another sister, Kathleen Dial, told the BBC: "She didn't think that it would hurt her because she was buying it in the smoke shop, so she thought she was using this substance legally." Meg's family has now filed a lawsuit against the manufacturers of nitrous oxide and seven Florida smoke shops to stop retail sales of the drug. Galaxy Gas is named in the lawsuit. Drug addiction counsellor Kim Castro said that she's had four clients who have died from nitrous oxide poisoning. She told Boston 25: "You really don't know when you'll stop breathing, when you'll lose consciousness, when your body will stop functioning. It's pretty scary." In March, the FDA released a warning advising consumers not to inhale nitrous oxide products, including Galaxy Gas and other brands. 17 Discarded canisters of nitrous oxide piled up at Glastonbury festival at Worthy Farm Credit: AFP 17 In the UK, nitrous oxide is commonly used by inhaling balloons filled with small metal cartridges 17 Recreational nitrous oxide has been banned in the UK Credit: Instagram Dr Saltz said that sucking laughing gas to get high is not a new phenomenon, but there's been a surge in the past three to five years thanks to a "new twist" in the market. She said: "The new addition in recent years is flavours, which has made it more appealing to younger and younger people. "It seems like it's being literally marketed to this group of people. It makes it seem not dangerous and more innocuous." The doc agrees that social media has supercharged the spread of the drug amongst youngsters - allowing it to be glorified, but also popularising "challenges" involving the gas. She also warned of the danger of "copycat companies" who have "caught onto the fact that young people will buy this and use it for abuse". The doctor insisted there are some obvious ways to fight back against the gas falling into teens' hands. She said: "Selling to underage individuals is something that is frequently abused - and that of course shouldn't be happening. "We should be putting more warnings on the packaging so that the adult who is buying it is warned - because they may not realise what their teen is actually asking for. "And I wish that the companies would not be able to market to young people. "Once you've identified something as used for abuse, governments should have the ability to say to a company: 'This is what you can do, this is what you can't do.' For the greater societal good." Dr Saltz also explained that laughing gas is "easier to hide than abuse of many other things". She said: "It has no smell, it seems innocuous because it can be used for food preparation. It's not expensive, and the high is short."
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How 'laughing gas' became a deadly - but legal
Nitrous oxide – known colloquially as "laughing gas" – has many uses, from a painkiller during dental procedures to a whipping agent for canned whipped cream. While its euphoric side effects have long been known, the rise of vaping has helped create a perfect delivery vehicle for the gas - and a perfect recipe for an addiction, experts warn. Meg Caldwell's death wasn't inevitable. The horseback rider from Florida had started using nitrous oxide recreationally in university eight years ago. But like many young people, she started to use more heavily during the pandemic. The youngest of four sisters, she was was "the light of our lives," her sister Kathleen Dial told the BBC. But Ms Caldwell's use continued to escalate, to the point that her addiction "started running her life". She temporarily lost use of her legs after an overdose, which also rendered her incontinent. Still, she continued to use, buying it in local smoke shops, inhaling it in the car park and then heading straight back into the shop to buy more. She sometimes spent hundreds of dollars a day. She died last November, in one of those car parks just outside a vape shop. "She didn't think that it would hurt her because she was buying it in the smoke shop, so she thought she was using this substance legally," Ms Dial said. The progression of Ms Caldwell's addiction – from youthful misuse to life-threatening compulsion – has become increasingly common. The Annual Report of America's Poison Centers found there was a 58 % increase in reports of intentional exposure to nitrous oxide in the US between 2023-2024. What is nitrous oxide and how dangerous is it? 'Daily use of laughing gas left me in a wheelchair' In a worst-case scenario, inhalation of nitrous oxide can lead to hypoxia, where the brain does not get enough oxygen. This can result in death. Regular inhalation can also lead to a Vitamin B12 deficiency which can cause nerve damage, degradation of the spinal column and even paralysis. The number of deaths attributed to nitrous oxide poisonings rose by more than 110% between 2019 and 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Possession of nitrous oxide was criminalised in the UK in 2023 after misuse among young people increased during the pandemic. But while many states have also outlawed the recreational use of the product in the US, it is still legal to sell as a culinary product. Only Louisiana has totally banned the retail sale of the gas. Galaxy Gas, a major manufacturer, even offers recipes for dishes, including Chicken Satay with Peanut Chili Foam and Watermelon Gazpacho on their website. With flavours like Blue Raspberry or Strawberries and Cream, experts warn this loophole - as well as major changes in packaging and retail - has contributed to the rise in misuse. Until recently users would take single-use plain metal canisters weighing around 8g and inhale the gas using a balloon. But when usage spiked during the pandemic, nitrous oxide manufacturers began selling much larger canisters online – as large as 2kg – and, eventually, in shops selling electronic vapes and other smoking paraphernalia. Companies also began to package the gas in bright colourful canisters with designs featuring characters from computer games and television series. Pat Aussem, of the Partnership to End Addiction, believes these developments are behind increased misuse: "Even being called Galaxy Gas or Miami Magic is marketing," she said. "If you have large canisters, then it means that more people can try it and use it and that can lead to a lot of peer pressure." The BBC reached out for comment to both Galaxy Gas and Miami Magic but did not receive a response. Amazon, where the gas is sold online, has said they are aware of customers misusing nitrous oxide and that they are working to implement further safety measures. In a response to reporting from CBS News, the BBC's news partner in the US, Galaxy Gas maintained that the gas was intended for culinary use and that they include a message on their sites warning against misuse. Concern about nitrous oxide misuse increased last year, after several videos of people using the product went viral online. On social media, videos of young people getting high on gas became a trend. A video uploaded in July 2024 by an Atlanta-based fast-food restaurant featured a young man inhaling Strawberries and Cream flavoured nitrous oxide saying "My name's Lil T, man", his voice made deeper by the gas. To date the clip has been viewed about 40 million times and spawned thousands of copies. Misuse also featured heavily in rap music videos and Twitch streaming. Guests tried it on the Joe Rogan Show and rappers including Ye (formerly Kanye West) spoke about abusing the substance publicly. Ye has since sued his dentist for "recklessly" supplying Ye with "dangerous amounts of nitrous oxide". In response to the trend, TikTok blocked searches for "galaxy gas," and redirected users to a message offering resources about substance use and addiction. Rapper SZA also alerted her social media followers about its harms and slammed it for "being MASS marketed to black children". In March, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an official alert warning against inhaling the gas after it "observed an increase in reports of adverse events after inhalation of nitrous oxide products". The FDA told the BBC that it "continues to actively track adverse events related to nitrous oxide misuse and will take appropriate actions to protect the public health". But for some, these warnings came too late. In 2023, the family of a 25-year-old woman, Marissa Politte successfully sued Nitrous Distributor United Brands for $745m in damages after the radiology technician was killed by a driver high on nitrous oxide. The jury found the company responsible for selling the product in the knowledge that it would be misused. "Marissa Politte's death shouldn't have happened in the first place, but my God, it should be the last," Johnny Simon, the Politte family's lawyer, said at the time. In the years since there have been several fatal traffic accidents involving the gas both in the US and the UK. Meanwhile, Ms Caldwell's family have launched a class action lawsuit against manufacturers and distributors of nitrous oxide, hoping to remove the product from retail sales across the US for good. "The people who administer nitrous oxide in a dentist office now have to go through hours and hours of training, she said. "It just is crazy to me that the drug can be purchased in a smoke shop to anyone who goes in." "Unfortunately, it's become very obvious that the manufacturers and the owners of the smoke shops are not going to do the moral thing and take this off the shelves themselves," Ms Dial said. Generation K: The disturbing rise of ketamine abuse among young people What is nitrous oxide and why is it being banned? Nitrous oxide: What is it and how dangerous is it?
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Nitrous oxide recreational use linked to brain damage, sudden death, but ‘laughing gas' still sold in U.S.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning Americans about the ever-increasing and potentially deadly recreational use of nitrous oxide products, particularly among young people. Marketed with names like "Galaxy Gas" and "Miami Magic," and often sold in steel cartridges known as "whippets," these products are cheap and readily available at gas stations, convenience stores, smoke shops and major retail outlets, including Walmart. They're also sold online. As an assistant professor of public health who studies these products, I'm aware of how dangerous they can be. Recreational and continued use of nitrous oxide can cause a wide range of serious health problems, and in some cases, death. Long list of potential harms The list of serious side effects from frequent use is long. It includes: cognitive impairment, memory problems, hallucinations, headaches, lightheadedness, mood disturbances, blood clots, limb weakness, trouble walking, peripheral neuropathy, impaired bowel or bladder function, spinal cord degeneration and irreversible brain damage. Vitamin B-12 deficiency is common and can lead to nerve and brain damage. Deaths in the United States attributed to abuse of nitrous oxide jumped more than 100% between 2019 and 2023; over a five-year period, emergency department visits rose 32%. All told, more than 13 million Americans have misused nitrous oxide at least once during their lifetimes. This includes children: In 2024, just over 4% of eighth-graders and about 2% of 12th-graders said they've tried inhalants. Nitrous oxide is among the most abused of these inhalants due to its low cost, easy availability and commercial appeal -- one flavor of the gas is named "pink bubble gum." Laughing gas parties Because of legal loopholes in the Food and Drug Administration Act, nitrous oxide remains unregulated. What's more, U.S. scientists have done relatively little research on its abuse, partly because the public still perceives the substance as benign, particularly when compared with alcohol. The few studies on the use of nitrous oxide are limited mainly to case reports -- that is, a report on a single patient. Although limited in scope, they're alarming. More thorough studies are available in the United Kingdom and Europe, where there's even more demand for the product. One example: Over a 20-year period, 56 people died in England and Wales after recreational use. Typically, deaths occur from hypoxia, which is the lack of oxygen to the brain, or accidents occurring while intoxicated by the gas, such as car wrecks or falls. Americans have known about the effects of nitrous oxide for centuries. Before becoming a medicinal aid, nitrous oxide was popular at "laughing gas" parties during the late 1700s. Physicians began using it in the United States around the mid-19th century after Horace Wells, a dentist, attended a stage show -- called Laughing Gas Entertainment -- and saw the numbing effect that nitrous oxide had on audience volunteers. By coincidence, Wells was having a wisdom tooth removed the next day, so he tried the gas during his procedure. The nitrous oxide worked; Wells said he felt no pain. Thereafter, medicinal use of the gas was gradually accepted. Today, nitrous oxide is often used in dentists' offices. It's safe under a doctor's supervision as a mild sedative that serves as a pain reliever and numbing agent. Nitrous oxide also benefits some patients with severe psychiatric disorders, including treatment-resistant depression and bipolar depression. It may also help with anxiety and pain management. Bans and restrictions No federal age restrictions exist for purchasing nitrous oxide products, although a few states have passed age limits. As of May 2025, four U.S. states -- Louisiana, Michigan, Alabama and California -- have banned the recreational use of nitrous oxide, and more than 30 states are working on legislation to ban or at least restrict sale of the products. In addition, numerous lawsuits filed against the manufacturers are in court. Research shows school prevention programs help keep kids from using these products. So does early screening of patients by primary care and mental health physicians. The sooner they can intervene, the more likely that ongoing therapy will work. Through appropriate legislation, regulation, education and intervention, nitrous oxide abuse can be slowed or stopped. Otherwise, these products -- with their sleek packaging and attractive social media campaigns that obscure their dangers -- remain a growing threat to our children. Andrew Yockey is an assistant professor of public health at the University of Mississippi. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The views and opinions in this commentary are solely those of the author.
