Month: September 2021

Whippets are a street name for the steel cartridges that are filled with nitrous oxide and used in whipped cream dispensers. Nitrous oxide has long been a safe sedation method, typically used by dentists. Commonly referred to as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is often abused as a recreational drug because it produces relaxing, euphoric, and dissociative effects. And because they are legal and easy to obtain, whippets are particularly popular among teenagers.

What Are Whippets and Why Are They Dangerous?

Whippets are not a new drug; however, they are making a comeback in their popularity, use, and abuse. The active substance in whippets, nitrous oxide, while safe when used appropriately for pain relief and to reduce anxiety before dental procedures, can lead to severe and irreversible brain damage and even death in some instances.

Nitrous oxide cartridges are readily accessible online and in stores for use in cans of whipped cream and at-home nitro cold brew systems. However, just because they are available and widespread, it doesn’t mean that whippets are safe for recreational use.

What You Need to Know About Whippets as a Drug

Whippets are psychoactive drugs that is classified as inhalants, much like glue, spray paint, and poppers. Individuals who use whippets inhale nitrous oxide from cartridges in various ways. Whippets are the most commonly used inhalants in the country, with millions of people using them each year.

Whippets Are Not Like Other Substances

Whippets are not like other abused drugs due to the way it interacts with the brain. For example, when individuals use cocaine, MDMA, or opioids, the substance causes their brain’s reward center to release feel-good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin. Whippets are different. Instead of tricking or mimicking the brain’s reward center, the nitrous oxide in whippets cuts off the oxygen supply to the brain, interfering with other pathways. When someone inhales whippets, they may laugh uncontrollably, have numbness in their arms and legs, and feel euphoric. However, this feeling only lasts for a very short time – a minute or two. The extremely short period of feeling high makes whippets extremely susceptible to abuse.

Why Are Whippets Bad for You?

Just because nitrous oxide is safe when used in medical settings, it doesn’t mean whippets are harmless when used. The recreational use of whippets poses multiple serious health risks. Dentists and doctors typically administer oxygen in conjunction with nitrous oxide to ensure the safety of the patient and avoid brain damage.

When people abuse whippets, they tend to use numerous cartridges in a short timeframe. This overuse bombards their central nervous systems with much larger amounts of nitrous oxide than they would ever receive in a dentist’s office. With a large quantity of nitrous oxide, the brain and body are severely deprived of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels increase. This may cause passing out, coma, and ultimately, death.

How Do People Do Whippets?

Whippets are small metal cartridges that look like mini tanks. Users who inhale whippets have to find a way to get it out of its canister so they can breathe it into their lungs to feel the euphoric effects.

Huffing Whippets

Sometimes users huff, or inhale, the nitrous oxide from inside the cartridge. There are a number of tools that exist for this method.

Balloons

Some users will fill a balloon with the cartridge’s contents, just like filling a balloon with helium. Then, when the balloon is full, they inhale the nitrous oxide from the balloon.

Whipped Cream Dispensers

Users who abuse whippets typically use special whipped cream dispensers, because the cans of whipped cream from the grocery store can quickly frost over and burn a user’s hands. The special whipped cream dispensers that are used are designed for commercial or at home use. There are some that are even specifically designed for inhaling whippets, but they are marketed as home use items.

Are Whippets Addictive?

Yes, whippets can be addictive. Individuals who use whippets regularly can become addicted to the feeling of euphoria, especially when they are used with other drugs, like MDMA or cocaine. However, you cannot become physically dependent on whippets like you can with alcohol or opioids.

Final Thoughts about Whippets

Whippets and laughing gas are street names for nitrous oxide, which is a safe sedation method when used properly by dentists and doctors to relieve pain and anxiety in their patients. They administer it with care and while providing extra oxygen. However, when individuals use whippets recreationally, they are putting themselves at risk for some serious health risks that may include severe brain damage, organ damage, seizures and death. While you cannot become physically dependent on whippets, you can become addicted. If that happens, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible to prevent any negative medical problems in the future.

Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is used to reduce inflammation. The primary use of this medication is to alleviate the pain associated with Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It comes in tablet or liquid form to be taken orally. Doctors may recommend taking it with food or at a certain time of day. These recommendations are intended to reduce the risk of side effects including stomach upset.

Before taking this drug tell your doctor or pharmacist about any medications, herbs, or supplements you are already taking. Other important things to tell your doctor are if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and if you have a fructose intolerance. While your doctor will likely take a full medical history, you may want to be sure they know about all allergies and intolerances.

What does Meloxicam do?

It reduces the swelling, tenderness, and stiffness that comes from arthritis. Arthritis is the inflammation of the joints and can decrease mobility. While some people may want to use it for back pain, the FDA has only approved its use in reducing swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. More specifically, it lowers the levels of prostaglandin in the blood. This is a hormone-like material that is known to cause inflammation in the body.

Meloxicam may interact with other drugs and it’s especially important to avoid using it if you’re already taking other NSAIDs. These interactions can lead to bleeding, kidney issues, liver failure, and more. Talk with your doctor to see if you can combine Meloxicam with the medications you’re already on.

Is Meloxicam Addictive?

Meloxicam does not stimulate the brain the way that opioids and narcotic medications do. Because of this, Meloxicam is not considered addictive. It’s considered a safer alternative to other painkillers and can be a great option for people with arthritis if used correctly. While it does not cause a physical addiction, it is possible for people to become psychologically addicted to it because of the relief it gives.

Is Meloxicam a Narcotic?

Meloxicam is not a narcotic. It’s a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Its primary use is to treat inflammation, especially that caused by arthritis. Other uses of NSAIDs include reducing fever, treating pain, and sometimes as a blood thinner. This can be a good or bad quality depending on the need. Some NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin are available over the counter. Others like Meloxicam are available by prescription only.

Doctors like to take a full medical history before prescribing Meloxicam. They also take a full assessment of all the medications you are on prior to surgery. Most of the time you will be required to be off of NSAIDs for up to two weeks prior to surgery. This is because the blood-thinning properties could cause profuse bleeding during surgery if you are still taking these medications.

Because it’s not a narcotic, most people assume that it is not addictive. While Meloxicam is not addictive in the same way that morphine is, it can become habit-forming.

Side Effects of Meloxicam / Dependence

All prescription medications come with some risk of side effects. While some are considered normal and nothing to be concerned about, if side effects worsen or persist, you may want to contact your doctor. Some of these can be mitigated by simply taking the medicine with food or drink, while others may need to be taken at a different time of day. Your doctor may prescribe or recommend over-the-counter medications to counteract the milder symptoms.

Meloxicam can become habit-forming. When people are dependent on it, there are some signs and symptoms to watch out for. Also, it’s vital to never take more than the recommended dosing. This can lead to serious side effects and increased dependence on Meloxicam.

You’ll know you are becoming dependent if you start running out of the medication before expected, if you are going to different doctors to try and get more of it if you are being sneaky, and if you are stealing pills from friends or family members. You’ll also know you’re becoming addicted if you take even when you are no longer in pain.

Overuse can lead to bleeding, kidney problems, and some of the less common side effects. It’s important to take Meloxicam only as directed and to inform your doctor if you have any medical conditions.

Alternatives to Meloxicam

There are many different prescriptions and non-prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the market. There are also many different drugs to treat the inflammation associated with Rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. Ibuprofen, aspirin, and Aleve (naproxen sodium) are a few of the most common NSAIDs that are available over the counter.

Additionally, some doctors may prescribe narcotic drugs for acute pain. These medications are meant to be used short-term.

Getting Help

Because Meloxicam is not considered an addictive drug, detoxing from it may not be necessary. Many doctors will allow their patients to go off Meloxicam cold-turkey. This means that you can stop taking it right away without the risk of harmful side effects. If you are becoming dependent on Meloxicam it may be necessary to find a local detox center near you to help manage the withdrawal symptoms you experience.

Talk to your doctor about other ways to manage your arthritis pain. There may be exercises, lifestyle changes, or dietary changes that can alleviate some of the pain. Inflammation impacts more than your joints, but those are the parts of the body that feel it the most.