Nitrous Oxide Use Rising in Michigan, Raising Health Concerns

Updated June 19, 2026

• Dr. Varun Vohra, director at the Michigan Poison and Drug Information Center, reports a surge in nitrous oxide usage in the state.
• Large canisters, often called whippets, are readily available at gas stations and convenience stores, increasing accessibility.
• Vohra points out that these larger canisters facilitate more frequent use, which can lead to serious health issues.

According to Dr. Vohra, there’s a troubling trend emerging: young, seemingly healthy individuals are reaching out to the poison center, 911, or showing up in emergency rooms with symptoms like numbness and weakness in their hands and feet. Some are even feeling faint.

Other symptoms include a lack of coordination and racing heartbeats—some users report hallucinations, anxiety, and feelings of depression. These issues aren’t linked to infections; instead, they stem from inhaling nitrous oxide, as per Vohra’s insights.

These large nitrous oxide canisters, often referred to as laughing gas, are found across Michigan, sold in sizes ranging from 2 to 6 liters. Their size allows repeated inhalation from a single canister, which can exacerbate health risks.

Vohra mentions that these products are marketed toward youth through social media and Reddit. They come in attractive, colorful designs and various flavors that appeal to those seeking recreational highs. “It’s often viewed as harmless fun at parties, but that’s changing,” he notes.

Nitrous oxide is approved by the FDA for use in medical settings, like dentistry, and is also used to aerate whipped cream or enhance car performance. However, when inhaled in large amounts, it can have severe negative effects.

Vohra explains that nitrous oxide can inhibit the body’s absorption of vitamin B12, leading to a range of health complications. Common complaints include numbness, coordination issues, and faintness, with some users even losing consciousness. Serious cardiovascular issues, like stroke symptoms and blood clots, have also been reported.

“All of these issues relate back to vitamin B12 inactivation,” Vohra points out, highlighting that growing evidence suggests recreational nitrous oxide use can affect brain development, leading to potential atrophy and memory issues.

There are also neuropsychiatric effects associated with use, including mood disorders and hallucinations. “That’s definitely concerning,” he adds.

In extreme cases, frequent users have sustained significant nerve damage, leading to paralysis. “Some individuals need to relearn walking due to severe nervous system damage,” Vohra explains.

Statistics from the Michigan Poison and Drug Information Center reveal a stark increase in adverse effects related to nitrous oxide, nearly five times the numbers reported in 2019. Emergency department visits soared by 757% in that timeframe, and EMS calls shot up by 420%. Over that four-year span, there were 14 reported deaths connected to nitrous oxide.

Vohra suspects these numbers underestimate the reality, as many cases go unreported. “There’s no straightforward test for nitrous oxide,” he notes, complicating diagnosis if patients don’t disclose their use.

In recent data, covering 2024 until May 2026, ongoing increases in cases have been observed. Among 112 reported injuries from intentional nitrous oxide use, 48 required hospitalization, with 10 needing intensive care.

Vohra shares concerns about impaired individuals, noting some have caused traffic accidents due to numbness affecting their ability to brake or accelerate properly.

New state laws enacted in 2024 aim to ban the sale of tools that facilitate recreational nitrous inhalation, classifying such actions as misdemeanors and increasing penalties for selling to minors. However, it appears these measures haven’t significantly impacted the injury rates among users.

The FDA issued a warning in 2025 against inhaling nitrous oxide from any type of canister, irrespective of size or flavor.

Brands associated with these products include:

• Baking Bad
• Cloud 9ine
• Cosmic Gas
• Euro Gas
• ExoticWhip
• FastGas
• Galaxy Gas
• Goo Sticks
• HOTWHIP
• InfusionMax
• MassGass
• Miami Magic
• Monster Gas
• NITROX
• Whip-it!

Vohra notes that the poison center is working to improve the recognition of nitrous oxide use in medical settings, informing medical professionals of common symptoms and detection methods.

He expresses a hope that lawmakers will consider banning nitrous oxide canister sales at easily accessible locations. This easy availability facilitates risky behavior. “I think tackling access is a priority,” he concludes, stating, “It’s impacting our communities in significant ways.”