Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are looking to file lawsuits on behalf of individuals who suffered serious harm , including death, from use of nitrous oxide canisters , also known as whippets, whip-its, whippits, laughing gas, hippie crack, NOS or galaxy gas. The canisters have drawn strong criticism from media outlets , lawmakers , regulatory agencies and attorneys alike, particularly for the way they are sold, packaged and marketed—in a way that allegedly encourages misuse and appeals to vulnerable populations, including youth. Specifically, attention has been drawn to the products’ hippie- and cosmic-inspired designs, youth-enticing flavors like cotton candy, excessive size (in one example, large enough to make 22,000 servings of whipped cream ) and availability in smoke shops—all of which run in stark contrast to the defense from manufacturers: that the products are for culinary use only. Even amid reports of life-altering injuries and vehicular accidents , the canisters continue to be readily available online, at smoke shops and in gas stations. Now, however, some manufacturers, smoke shops and other parties are facing legal action over claims that they’re fully aware of how the products are being used and are responsible for the harm being caused to consumers and their families. If you or a family member used nitrous oxide products and developed a serious injury, including to the heart or brain, fill out the form on this page to learn more about what you can do. It doesn’t cost anything to get in touch, and you’re under no obligation to take action after talking to someone. Nitrous Oxide Adverse Effects Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are specifically looking to file lawsuits on behalf of individuals who experienced any of the following health effects from nitrous oxide use: Asphyxiation (being unable to breathe, losing consciousness) Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) Pulmonary embolism (PE) Spinal cord damage Nitrous Oxide and B12: What’s the Connection? Inhalation of nitrous oxide can impair the body’s metabolism of B12 , a vitamin that’s crucial for maintaining the body’s myelin sheath, an insulating layer that helps protect nerves in the brain and spinal cord. Heavy or sustained use of nitrous oxide can result in B12 deficiency , a condition that can cause physical, neurological and psychological symptoms. Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include numbness or tingling in the hands, feet and legs; balance problems; cognitive difficulties; anemia; muscle weakness; and fatigue. Left untreated, vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to paralysis, depression, paranoia, memory loss, and peripheral neuropathy, an early sign of which is numbness in the fingers . Nitrous Oxide: Long-Term Effects Heavy use of nitrous oxide can cause serious damage to the nervous system , which includes the brain, spinal cord and nerves and is responsible for sending messages between the brain and other parts of the body. These messages regulate things like balance and coordination; heartbeat and breathing patterns; and thoughts, memory and learning. If you or a family member experienced any of the following neurological symptoms after recreational nitrous oxide use and the symptoms are not going away , you may be able to file a nitrous oxide lawsuit. Difficulty breathing Headaches or migraines Cognitive issues, such as memory problems, confusion and brain fog Loss of coordination Loss of bowel or bladder control Numbness or tingling in hands, feet, or other body parts Any limitation of use of the arms, legs, feet, hands or muscles Uncontrolled muscle movement, twitching or spasms Muscle weakness (e.g., trouble lifting, writing, walking, etc.) Balance problems Shooting pain down the limbs Interested in learning more about filing a nitrous oxide lawsuit? Fill out the form on this page to learn more. It doesn’t cost anything, and you’re under no obligation to take legal action after talking to someone about your rights. As put by Dr. Amir Garakani of Yale University, speaking to a local Fox News outlet about nitrous oxide abuse: Long-term use of nitrous oxide has also been associated with certain blood-related, psychiatric and cardiovascular effects. Is Nitrous Oxide Addictive? Several sources indicate that while nitrous oxide is not physically addictive in the same way as alcohol or opioids, it can lead to psychological addiction , compulsive behavior and dependence. According to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation , people who use nitrous oxide regularly can become dependent on it and may need to use the drug to go about their daily life. Regular users of nitrous oxide may also develop a tolerance and need to inhale more of the gas to get high. American Addiction Centers goes a step further in stating that repeated use of inhalants like nitrous oxide can, in fact, result in addiction or substance use disorder. A narrative review published in 2023 in the scientific journal Addiction provides support for that idea, concluding that nitrous oxide “could well be addictive and should be treated as a potentially addictive substance” while more research is conducted. A commentary article published in the same medical journal in January 2024 titled “ Yes, nitrous oxide addiction undeniably exists! ” states that “the current question is not whether N2O addiction exists, but rather how to inform the general population, identify users with negative consequences and establish guidelines for treatment.” Indeed, both a proposed class action and wrongful death lawsuit involving the sale of nitrous oxide allege that it is an addictive and dangerous drug. Stories from Reddit users concur [sic throughout, emphasis ours]: If you are struggling with addiction, please contact the free Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357). What Brands of Nitrous Oxide Are Under Investigation? Attorneys are interested in filing lawsuits on behalf of people who were injured after inhaling nitrous oxide from canisters , including, but not limited to , those sold under the following brand names: Is This a Class Action for Nitrous Oxide Complications? Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are filing individual cases on behalf of those injured from using nitrous oxide products—they are not pursuing this matter as a class action lawsuit. This is because they believe the harm associated with nitrous oxide canisters is severe enough to warrant individual lawsuits. Typically, class action lawsuits are filed on behalf of a large group of individuals who have suffered a relatively small harm, such as paying unlawful fees on an online order or buying beauty products that were falsely advertised as “natural.” In these instances, it makes sense for the case to be handled collectively, as the cost of separate lawsuits for affected individuals would outweigh any potential recovery. Therefore, while millions have misused nitrous oxide at some point in their lives­—whether via the use of Galaxy Gas-like products or otherwise—attorneys are interested in pursuing these cases separately , seeking compensation for the specific damages and harm each individual and/or their family has suffered. Have There Been Any Nitrous Oxide Class Action Lawsuits? Yes. At least one proposed class action lawsuit has been filed, naming Galaxy Gas, Monster Gas, Baking Bad Group, United Brands, the companies behind the “Cosmic Gas” and “Looper Whip” brands, and a handful of Florida smoke shops as defendants.

According to the suit, the nitrous oxide canister products are being made, marketed and sold specifically for recreational drug use—and not for use in the kitchen, as the manufacturers claim—as part of a scheme that has resulted in widespread addiction, death, severe bodily harm and a “veritable national health crisis.” Essentially, the lawsuit accuses the companies of exploiting a legal loophole that allows for the sale of nitrous oxide in a culinary capacity. The Atlantic summarized the issue simply: The lawsuit alleges the manufacturers’ “for culinary use only” argument falls flat, however, for several reasons, including that the products are: available in sizes (some exceeding one liter) that makes them “impractical for use in the kitchen, but consistent with tobacco, vaping and other products consumed through inhalation” being sold through smoke shops, rather than restaurant supply stores available in flavors such as cotton candy and blue raspberry that are aimed at catching the attention of kids, rather than culinary professionals marketed on social media, including via influencers, “a practice inconsistent with selling…culinary products” Notably, the woman who filed the proposed class action on behalf of her deceased sister told BBC News that her sister didn’t believe the products could hurt her “because she was buying it in the smoke shop, so she thought she was using this substance legally.” Ultimately, the case alleges that consumers were not aware of the dangers of nitrous oxide and that the manufacturers were “unjustly enriched” as a result of their plot to market the products as “cool” and “safe” while misrepresenting or omitting key facts about their addictiveness and significant risk of injury and death. Have Other Nitrous Oxide Lawsuits Been Filed? Yes, at least two additional lawsuits were filed on behalf of individuals who died in auto accidents allegedly caused by drivers abusing nitrous oxide. In January 2025, a wrongful death lawsuit was filed against Elite Gas, whose products include Hippie Whippy, Jumbo Whip, XL Whip and Nitrous Mafia, several Michigan smoke shops, and the estate of a driver who allegedly passed out after inhaling nitrous oxide while driving. According to the whippet lawsuit, the driver was inhaling nitrous oxide while operating a motor vehicle, lost consciousness, crossed a highway median and collided with another car, whose occupant succumbed to his injuries. According to reports , police found a large canister of Hippie Whippy in the passed-out driver’s lap. The lawsuit alleges a long list of nitrous oxide side effects, including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, vitamin B-12 deficiency, lung collapse, heart attacks, seizure, coma, asphyxiation, blood vessel hemorrhage in the lungs, and death, noting that repeated use can cause “serious and permanent physical and neurological injuries.” In another case, a Missouri jury awarded $745 million in September 2023 to the parents of a 25-year-old woman who was hit and killed outside her workplace by a driver who reportedly passed out behind the wheel after inhaling Whip-It! nitrous oxide. The jury found that the distributor was 70 percent liable, the smoke shop was 20 percent liable, and the driver was 10 percent liable. What’s Involved in Filing a Nitrous Oxide Lawsuit? If you decide to pursue a nitrous oxide injury lawsuit on behalf of yourself or a deceased family member, you will need to first hire an attorney experienced in handling these types of claims. They will likely begin by gathering relevant information and documents from you. This may include contact details, copies of medical records and details about your (or your family member’s) nitrous oxide use and the negative impact it has had. For instance, you may be asked: Which nitrous oxide products were purchased? Where were the products purchased? How often was nitrous oxide inhaled? Is there proof of the purchases? Was the person addicted to nitrous oxide? What health issues began or were diagnosed during or after using nitrous oxide? Was medical care received? Once your lawyer has enough information, they will work on drafting what’s known as a complaint. This is a legal document that will name the companies that are being sued, explain why they’re being sued and outline the harm suffered by you and/or your family. The complaint will also include the names and contact details of your attorneys, the damages you are seeking and the court where the document will be filed. Once your complaint is entered with the court, your lawsuit officially begins. During your case, your attorney and the attorneys for the defendants (that is, the companies being sued) will go back and forth in an attempt to resolve the case. During this process, the attorneys may: File motions, briefs, responses, exhibits and other documents with the court Engage in discovery Attend court hearings Take depositions Issue subpoenas Work with financial, psychological and medical experts If your case does not settle and is not dismissed, it will proceed to jury trial; however, courtroom trials have become increasingly rare in civil cases . Interested in filing a lawsuit? Fill out the form on this page to get in touch at no cost and with no obligation. What Could I Get from a Nitrous Oxide Lawsuit? People who were injured from inhaling gas from nitrous oxide canisters, as well as family members acting on their behalf, can potentially seek compensation for: Medical bills, including long-term care expenses Loss of earning capacity Pain and suffering Funeral costs, in the event of death How Much Does a Lawyer Cost? Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are handling nitrous oxide lawsuits on a contingency fee basis. This means they will only get paid if they win your case, and their payment will come as a percentage of your jury award or nitrous oxide settlement. Take Action for Nitrous Oxide Health Effects If you or a family member experienced serious nitrous oxide side effects, including brain damage, heart attack, neuropathy, nerve damage, stroke, or other complications, you may be able to take legal action. Learn more by filling out the form on this page . After you get in touch, someone may be in contact with you directly to explain more and ask a few questions—at no cost and with no obligation. Before commenting, please review our comment policy . The information submitted on this page will be forwarded to Law Offices of Jennifer Duffy who has sponsored this investigation.