What’s Inside Galaxy Gas?

Galaxy Gas is one of the most familiar nitrous oxide brands today. Whether you have witnessed the brand in smoke shops, online, or in viral social media videos, one question always comes up – What is in the Galaxy Gas canisters?

While branding and packaging may make these canisters seem trendy or benign, it is important to understand what is in the canister, and why it matters. This breakdown will cover information on every aspect related to Galaxy Gas; including the type of nitrous oxide used, the purity level, the type of canister used, safety, where the product comes from, and why the contents are a topic of conversation.

1. The Main Ingredient: Nitrous Oxide (N₂O)

Every Galaxy Gas canister contains nitrous oxide, a colorless, odorless gas that can be slightly sweet. Its chemical formula is N₂O, made up of two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

Nitrous oxide is not exclusive to Galaxy Gas. It is a substance that has a wide range of applications in:

• The food industry
• Health care
• Automobile enhancement
• Chemical laboratories

The gas itself is, in fact, a legitimate, established ingredient. What makes Galaxy Gas special is how it gets sold, packaged, and marketed—both for culinary practitioners and for recreational use.

2. Food-Grade Nitrous Oxide – A Culinary Product

Galaxy Gas advertises their product as food-grade nitrous oxide for use in whipped-cream dispensers. Food-grade nitrous oxide, in particular, must meet certain purity requirements to confirm that:

• It contains no toxic oils
• It contains no toxic substances
• It contains no sulfur or other residues
• It is safe for culinary use

In culinary settings, nitrous oxide gets dissolved into liquid cream after being placed in a dispenser. Upon releasing the pressure, it expands, and in the process, whipped cream or foams get created. This practice has already been introduced into the culinary practice for years. When used as intended, nitrous oxide serves a harmless mechanical function: pressurizing and aerating liquids.

3. Purity Levels: Why They Are Important

Nitrous oxide can be found at different degrees of purity based on its intended purpose:

• Medical-grade N₂O — the highest degree of purity
• Food-grade N₂O — fits the parameters of safe for food items
• Industrial N₂O — has a lower degree of purity, suitable for use in engine operation or manufacturing

Galaxy Gas is a food-grade nitrous oxide product, not industrial or medical.

Food-grade N₂O is considered to be free of:

• Bittering agents
• Lubricants
• Toxins byproducts
• Inert impurities from the industrial use

Additionally, food-grade nitrous oxide is would not be sterilized, nor mixed with oxygen, like medical nitrous that is intended for use in dental or hospital setting.

I think it is important to understand purity levels since some recreational nitrous oxide users believe nitrous oxide is all the same, and it is not. for these reasons I think recreational nitrous oxide poses a greater risk than medical nitrous used in tandem with oxygen and provision by a medical professional.

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4. The Contents of the Canister

The contents inside the canister are equally relevant to the gas. At Galaxy Gas, nitrous oxide canisters are available in:

• Small 8g chargers
• Larger cylinders (e.g. 640g, 1L, 2L+)

Inside each cylindrical device:

a. Pressurized Nitrous Oxide Gas

The gas is compressed at a high pressure. When released, the gas is released very quickly creating rapid expansion, which leads to the gas being released cold temperature.

b. A Metal Interior

The metal interior will typically be manufactured from:

• Food safe Aluminum
• Stainless steel
• Coated steel

The interior is designed to safely house the pressure for culinary purposes.

c. A Nozzle/Sealed Puncture Device

In all small canisters, there will be a thin metal seal, meant to be pierced by a whipped-cream dispenser or a cracker tool (a device used in culinary settings, often a recreational use).

d. No Additional Additives

Lastly, Galaxy Gas canisters should not contain anything outside of gas, additives or flavorings, or liquids inside the gas. The flavor themes taste on the packaging (think of “Mango Smoothie” or Vanilla) are irrelevant and refer to branding and not flavoring.

5. Contents Not Found in Galaxy Gas

There have been rumors on the internet suggesting that Galaxy Gas canisters include:

• Nitric oxide (NO)
• Propane
• Butane
• Aerosol propellants
• Fragrance or flavored additives
• Psychoactive chemicals
• THC, CBD, or nicotine

The only ingredient–worth a canister–is nitrous oxide [N2O] under pressure.

These myths come about because the branding is colorful or resembles a candy in scheme to imply that the gas is flavored or contains other ingredients. It does not.

6. Why the Inside Contents are Dangerous When Misused

While the only ingredient is N2O, how people misuse the gas turns a culinary product into an inhalable dangerous inhaled substance.

a. Lack of Oxygen

When someone inhales the pure N2O contained in the canister they are depriving their brain of oxygen. Nitrous oxide in a medical setting combines with oxygen and is also monitored.

b. Pressure and Cold Burns

N2O leaves the canister at very cold temperatures, and as a result it can cause:

• Frostbite
• Lip burns
• Finger injuries

c. Increased Risk of Tank Size

A larger tank can hold more gas and therefore the opportunity to inhale for a longer duration or repeat use, which exponentially increases risk to health.

d. Not Intended to be Inhaled

Food grade nitrous oxide is safe for culinary uses but you are not meant to breathe it into your lungs.

7. Production and Quality Control

According to Galaxy Gas, its nitrous oxide is made in food-safety-grade facilities. This often involves:

• Gas purity testing
• Leak testing
• Pressure control
• Sanitizing components of canisters
• Following packaging procedures

That said, “food-safe” does not guarantee medical-grade safety or inhalation-safety. Medical-grade nitrous oxide must be manufactured under substantially stricter conditions of manufacture: sterilization, validation of purity, oxygen balancing, and regulatory oversight.

8. Packaging and the Public Perception

The contents of Galaxy Gas are simple (nitrous oxide). However, the packaging often has a strong impact on product perception.

Galaxy Gas sometimes utilizes:

• Neon colors
• Fruit-based graphics
• Trendy palettes

These graphics can elevate a product to appear playful or lifestyle-centric and minimize the difference between cooking apparatus and consumption of a recreational substance. Packaging does not alter the contents; however, it alters the perception of how individuals approach the product.

Helpful Resources

• Poison.org – Galaxy Gas Risks
• Wikipedia – Nitrous Oxide
• Balance Rehab Clinic – Galaxy Gas Health Effects

To summarize, what is Galaxy Gas?

Essentially: pressurized food-grade nitrous oxide packaged in canisters designed for culinary use. The gas has no additives, additives, or drugs. The product is simple, the complexity arises from the marketing, use, and misconceptions of nitrous as a product.
Knowing what nitrous oxide really is can lead to an understanding of the product’s intent and the dangers of inhaling nitrous oxide in uncontrolled situations.