For anyone that hasn’t heard of it before, whippets are the inhalation of the pressurized gas known as nitrous oxide. A common source for individuals that participate in this illicit activity is whip cream cans. The inhalation of nitrous oxide leaves the person with a feeling of giddiness and loss of inhibitions. The gas works by suppressing the area of the brain that maintains inhibitions. Though most people that do whippets are not trying to kill themselves, death is an imminent risk of whippets.
Whippets are extremely dangerous. Inhaling too much nitrous oxide can result in death. In fact, at least two people each month die from doing whippets. When inhaling the nitrous oxide, you are exposing your brain to the gas. If you inhale too much nitrous oxide very quickly, the gas can completely shut down the area of your brain responsible for breathing. Since your brain stops commanding your body to breathe, you die from suffocation.
Besides shutting down the part of your brain that controls breathing, whippets can cause suffocation in another way. Inhaling nitrous oxide will displace the oxygen in your lungs. Your body could have difficulty expelling the gas from your lungs. The gas will leave no room for life sustaining oxygen. The outcome is, once again, deadly. You will suffocate.
There are many other risks associated with exposure to nitrous oxide. Regular exposure to the drug causes chronic illnesses. Immune system disorders and anemia are among the illnesses constant exposure to nitrous oxide can cause. Whippets significantly affect your judgment and your balance. Serious accidents can occur.
It is important to recognize that whippets are a form of drug use. The practice is dangerous and can lead to serious illness or death. The risk associated with whippets is significant each and every time you do it. There is never a safe time, place, or manner to do whippets. Do not take the risk. You just don’t know which time will kill you.