Whippets are nitrous oxide cartridges named after “whip-its,” a brand of pressurized culinary containers. While you may not have heard the term, you have likely heard of inhalant abuse. While it appears as an emerging addiction, it is not new in that it is just another form of nitrous oxide abuse.
Nitrous oxide has been abused as an inhalant for years. Some people misunderstand the seriousness of inhalant abuse and presume that it is as harmless as other teenage shenanigans when it is still an addictive substance. In fact, nitrous oxide is also used to amplify the high that is experienced from taking other addictive drugs such as hydrocodone.
Typically, whippets are used by teens and younger individuals who can’t access other drugs. Since pressured cans are frequently used in many different industries, this form of substance abuse is difficult to control. If you’re still wondering, “what are whippets?” read on for more information.
Why Teens And Young Adults Seek Out Whippets
The immediate effects of whippets are short-lived. It would be challenging for even the most attentive parent to spot signs of drug abuse via whippets. As an inhalant, whippets also eliminate the need for needles and injections.
Whippets are an easy option for teens and young adults wanting to get high quickly, and the easy accessibility is also attractive to young people.
Asking, “What Are Whippets?”
Drug slang continues to expand, which increases the challenge of understanding how substances are abused. If you’re still wondering “what are whippets,” know that the term and its application are not abundantly clear. To clarify, the term regards the action of inhaling nitrous oxide.
Why Nitrous Oxide Is Commonly Abused
- Nitrous oxide establishes pain-numbing effects for the user when it has been inhaled. Usage can also result in dissociation, which can be perceived as a pleasant high until it becomes a more serious psychological problem, such as substance-induced psychosis.
- Nitrous oxide is also abused to experience the same effects as other drugs that are commonly abused. Feelings of relaxation and euphoria are sought-after experiences for those looking for relief, purely for enjoyment or to escape from stress.
- After nitrous oxide was introduced into the medical world, it was used increasingly as an illegal, recreational drug. With more exposure today, those looking to get high are more likely to inquire, “what are whippets,” and engage in substance abuse to enhance their high or to substitute for other drugs.
Immediate Effects Of Nitrous Oxide Inhalants
Nitrous oxide spreads very fast through the system, which explains why it’s so effective when used at the dentist. Once inhaled, the drug influences how oxygen moves throughout the body and, in turn, affects the brain. After inhaling, the user may begin laughing or acting silly. When the amount of oxygen sent to the brain decreases, laughing occurs because the brain is not functioning at the level it needs to be. When you search “what are whippets,” you may come across laughing gas information for this reason.
Dangers Of Addiction
If you search “what are whippets,” you’ll find information on the risks and dangers of addiction. To stay on the high of nitrous oxide, the drug must be used consistently, making whippets especially dangerous for those intending to sustain their high. Some extreme dangers of whippet addiction include the likelihood of combining drugs to increase the high achieved with whippets.
Increased use of drugs such as alcohol and nicotine can amplify the hallucinogenic effects and result in a person losing consciousness for hours. The outcomes are dangerous and uncertain the more serious the addiction becomes. In extreme cases, the addiction can result in coma or serious psychological conditions.
Search “what are whippets” to learn of the early signs of addiction, which include:
- rashes
- drowsiness
- isolation
- persistent sore throat
- inability to concentrate
- emotional outbursts
Side Effects Of Nitrous Oxide Abuse
Physical Side Effects
Using whippets even just a handful of times can result in a person’s inability to talk or walk normally. Slurred speech and coordination loss are also likely to occur. The user may feel drowsy, nauseous, and generally unwell. As the substance is abused, there is a stronger likelihood of dizziness and lightheadedness. Search “what are whippets” to learn about specific physical consequences that can occur from using whippets.
Some examples of physical consequences that may occur include:
- liver damage
- blood pressure issues
- hearing issues
- vitamin B12 deficiency
Psychological Side Effects
Hallucinations are common among those using whippets recreationally. Long-term usage increases the chances of developing severe psychological issues, including depression and psychosis.
Act Quickly: Inhalant Abuse Is Serious
When it comes to asking, “What are whippets,” the main thing to remember is this: whippet addiction is dangerous. If you struggle with inhalant abuse, act quickly and get the care you need.