Whippet use is often hard to spot as the high is short-lived and the items used to intake it can be found in any home. In this article, we’ll explore how to identify whippet paraphernalia, as well as the physical, behavioral, and psychological signs that could signal whippet use, helping you recognize potential substance abuse in its early stages.
- The high felt from whippets is usually short-lived, in most cases not lasting longer than a minute, which leads many users to abuse the drug in high amounts over a short period of time.
- The nitrous oxide in whippets is completely odorless and tasteless. Even when the gas is transferred to a balloon and inhaled repeatedly, there is no discernible taste or smell.
- Whippet crackers, also known as whipped cream dispensers or foam makers, are often kitchen-grade pieces of equipment that have a large cylinder on the bottom, a nozzle on top, and a handle or trigger on the side.
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How can I spot whippet use?
As the high felt from whippet drug use is short-lived, it can be difficult if someone has been using them. However, there are some indicators that someone has been abusing whippets.
Common whippet paraphernalia
Recognizing the objects used to inhale nitrous oxide can provide clear evidence of whippet use. The following items are typically involved:
- Small silver metal canisters
- "Crackers" or dispensers: Kitchen-grade whipped cream dispensers are used to release gas from the canisters into balloons or directly for inhalation.
- Balloons: Balloons are often used as a vessel for inhaling the nitrous oxide gas, as they provide a more controlled intake.
Whippet users will often take other drugs or alcohol to increase the intoxication and effects of one another.
Physical symptoms
The effects of whippets are often immediate, and they can leave behind telltale physical signs. These may include:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness: Whippets deprive the brain of oxygen, causing users to feel faint.
- Slurred speech: This is a hallmark of nitrous oxide use due to its depressant effect on the nervous system.
- Uncoordinated movements: Nitrous oxide affects motor skills, leading to clumsiness or difficulty walking.
- Facial discoloration or red spots: Inhaling nitrous oxide may cause visible skin reactions or irritation around the nose and mouth.
- Sudden bursts of euphoria: Users may display brief periods of extreme joy or giggling, followed by a rapid return to normal behavior.
- Anxiety or paranoia: After the effects wear off, users may experience heightened anxiety or paranoia.
Short-term effects of whippet use typically last only a few minutes but can have a lasting impact. Users may experience:
- Chronic headaches: Constant whippet abuse results in the brain becoming starved of oxygen, which can lead to headaches and eventually brain damage.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Tingling in the extremities
Behavioral and psychological changes
Whippet abuse can lead to users becoming more detached, displaying mood swings, lethargy, and anxiety.
- Changes in social circles: Whippets tend to be done communally with other people and at parties, especially among young adults and teens.
- Cognitive impairments: Long-term or frequent use of nitrous oxide can impair cognitive functions, leading to memory lapses, difficulty concentrating, and confusion or disorientation.
- Mood swings or emotional instability: Users may oscillate between feelings of elation and periods of depression or irritability. Prolonged use of nitrous oxide can increase feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
What do whippets look like?
Whippets are small, cylindrical silver canisters that are approximately 4 inches in length. The bottom side of the whippet canister is smooth and rounded, with the top edge tapering into a flat edge where the canister is pierced to release the nitrous oxide inside. The gas inside has no color.
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How are whippets used?
The small, silver whippet canister or cartridges for cream dispensers (that contain nitrous oxide) are opened or “cracked” with a whippet cracker and the contents are filled into a balloon, which is then huffed continuously until a mildly hallucinogenic and euphoric reaction occurs.[1]
The high felt from whippet drug use is usually short-lived, in most cases not lasting longer than a minute, which leads many users to abuse the drug in high amounts over a short period of time.
What are whippet crackers?
Whippet crackers, also known as whipped cream dispensers or foam makers, are often kitchen-grade pieces of equipment that have a large cylinder on the bottom, a nozzle on top, and a handle or trigger on the side. The base is intended to hold the ingredients that are to be infused with nitrous oxide, which in turn gives them a bubbly, foamy texture.
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The whippet canister is screwed into the device by removing the nozzle and top compartment. When abusing whippets, users will place a balloon over the nozzle and decompress the nitrous oxide directly into the balloon so it can be inhaled.
In recent years, smaller, more subtle whippet crackers have been developed explicitly to abuse whippets. These small cylinders resemble flashlights (see above) and are easy to conceal. Cheaper versions of whippet crackers can lead to the gas being released through seals around the edge of the device, which can cause chill burns when coming into contact with exposed skin.
What do whippets smell/taste like?
The nitrous oxide in whippets is completely odourless and tasteless. Even when the gas is transferred to a balloon and inhaled repeatedly, there is no discernible taste or smell.
Related blog: Galaxy Gas: The Return of Whippet Abuse in Teens
How long does a whippet high last?
When inhaled via a balloon the high from nitrous oxide is short-lived, lasting as little as 30-40 seconds. This leads to many users taking more of the drug continuously in order to maintain the euphoric effects felt by the drug. Abusing whippets over a long period of time or heavily in one sitting can lead to serious health conditions such as:
- Kidney damage
- Heart failure
- limb spasms
- Sudden sniffing death
Do whippets show up in drug tests?
No, the nitrous oxide in whippets does not show up in standard drug tests. This is due to the gas having an extremely short half-life and rapid bodily elimination.[2] In order for doctors to accurately diagnose issues relating to inhalant abuse, it is vital patients give an accurate description of any and all whippet abuse in their recent past.
Read here to learn more about how long drugs and alcohol stay in your system.
Getting help for whippet abuse
While considered generally nonaddictive, abusing inhalants like whippits will often lead to other drug use and can cause serious medical conditions. If you suspect someone is using whippets, it’s important to approach the situation with care and provide support. Prevention and early intervention can help prevent long-term damage.
If you or someone you care about is abusing whippets, treatment is available. While full rehab in an inpatient facility may not be necessary for those who only use whippets occasionally, speaking to an addiction specialist or counselor can help manage cravings and prevent harder substance use. Visit our addiction services directory to find help in your area today.
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