Poppers
Alkyl nitrites, colloquially known as ‘poppers’, are a type of recreational drug popular for their short-term euphoric effects, including a sense of warmth and light-headedness.
Also called:
How you might feel
Poppers produce a brief, intense feeling of euphoria, decreased inhibition, and perceived enhancement of sexual experiences. Light-headedness, dizziness, and visual distortions may also occur.
Effects on your body
Poppers can cause headaches, respiratory issues, nose bleeds, and in severe cases, cardiovascular problems and a condition affecting the eyes known as ‘poppers maculopathy’, which can lead to vision loss.
How long it takes to work
The effects of inhaling poppers are felt almost immediately, often within seconds of inhalation.
How long the effects last
The effects of poppers are generally short-lived, often lasting only a few minutes.
Common risks
Poppers can cause a variety of health risks including heart problems, particularly in those with pre-existing cardiovascular diseases. Use can also result in ‘poppers maculopathy’, a vision-impairing condition.
Overview
Alkyl nitrites, colloquially known as ‘poppers’, are a type of recreational drug popular for their short-term euphoric effects, including a sense of warmth and light-headedness.1 The chemical compounds were originally discovered in the 19th century, and they found their initial medical use as a treatment for angina (chest pain related to heart disease) due to their ability to dilate blood vessels.2 The use of poppers has evolved, with the drug gaining popularity in the 1960s and 1970s as a recreational substance, particularly within the gay community.3 They are typically inhaled from a small bottle, with the effects lasting just a few minutes.
From a health perspective, while they are generally considered low-risk for dependency, their use is not without potential harm. Some potential adverse effects include headaches; skin burns if spilled, and potential risks to eye health.4 Some severe cardiovascular effects have been reported, including changes in heart rate and blood pressure, especially when used in conjunction with other substances like Viagra.5
How it looks, tastes and smells
Appearance
Alkyl nitrites, commonly known as poppers, are typically found as a yellowish liquid housed in small, narrow bottles.6
Tastе
Poppers are not intended for oral consumption; thus, the taste isn’t generally discussed. Ingesting poppers can lead to serious health complications, including nausea, vomiting, and respiratory issues. Therefore, they are meant to be inhaled, not swallowed.7
Smell
Poppers have a distinctive, strong odour. It’s often described as sweet or fruity, but it can also resemble the aroma of solvents or cleaning products. The exact smell can differ based on the specific type of alkyl nitrite used, such as amyl nitrite, butyl nitrite, or isobutyl nitrite.
Dosage
Alkyl nitrites, or poppers, are most commonly taken by inhaling the vapour directly from the small bottles they are sold in. The liquid is not intended for oral consumption, as swallowing it can lead to serious health complications.7
- Minimum Dose: There isn’t an established ‘minimum dose’ to feel the effects of poppers due to their unregulated nature and how they are consumed (inhalation rather than ingestion). The effects can vary widely from person to person and depend on several factors, such as an individual’s size and overall health.
- Low Dose: Similarly, it’s not possible to define what a ‘low dose’ of poppers would be, as they’re not typically measured in quantities like milligrams but are instead inhaled directly from a bottle.
- Common Dose: A ‘common dose’ is not defined for poppers due to the variables involved in the method of use and individual differences in response to the substance.
- High Dose: A ‘high dose’ of poppers is also not clearly defined. It’s important to note that using a larger substance could increase the likelihood of adverse effects.
Exceeding High Dose
When a person exceeds a high dose of poppers (alkyl nitrites), they might experience severe adverse effects, including dizziness, fainting, increased intraocular pressure, heart palpitations, and in rare cases, cyanosis or methemoglobinemia – a blood disorder which affects the body’s ability to carry oxygen.7
How you might feel
Users report a variety of effects from using poppers, including a brief sensation of euphoria, decreased inhibition, enhanced sexual experiences, and visual distortions. Some also report feelings of light-headedness and dizziness.7
Effects on your body
Poppers can cause headaches, respiratory issues, nose bleeds, and in severe cases, cardiovascular problems and a condition affecting the eyes known as ‘poppers maculopathy’, which can lead to vision loss.
How long it takes to work
The effects of inhaling poppers are felt almost immediately, often within seconds of inhalation. 1
How long the effects last
The effects of poppers are very short-lived, often lasting only a few minutes.
Common risks
The use of poppers can result in several negative health outcomes, including headaches, respiratory issues, nose bleeds, and allergic reactions. In more severe cases, it can lead to heart problems, such as tachycardia and low blood pressure, which can be particularly dangerous for people with pre-existing cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, there have been documented cases of ‘poppers maculopathy’, a condition affecting the eyes and potentially leading to vision loss. 4,5
Addiction
While poppers are not typically considered physically addictive, they can be habit-forming. Some people may develop a psychological dependence on the effects of the drug, particularly its enhancement of sexual experiences.1
The Law in the UK
In the UK, poppers (alkyl nitrites) are legal to possess and use. They were considered for inclusion in the 2016 Psychoactive Substances Act, which would have made them illegal, but they were ultimately exempted from this legislation. For the most current information, it’s advised to refer to the UK government’s legislation or official guidelines.
Mixing Drugs
Mixing poppers with other substances can significantly increase the risks. Combining poppers with alcohol or other depressants can enhance the drop in blood pressure and increase the risk of fainting or cardiovascular complications. They are also often used in conjunction with other ‘club drugs’, which can compound the associated risks and potential for harm.1
References
- Romanelli, F., Smith, K. M., & Pomeroy, C. (2004). Use of club drugs by HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative gay and bisexual men. Topics in HIV Medicine, 12(1), 4-14. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14998778/
- Moss, G. W. J., & Dobson, A. J. (1981). The history of the discovery of the nitrite vasodilators. Pharmacy in History, 23(1), 3-8. https://www.jstor.org/stable/41111306
- McHugh, M. (2012). “Poppers” and Pedagogy: Teaching the History of LGBTQ Communities and HIV/AIDS. The History Teacher, 45(3), 407-422. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/hty.2012.45.3.407
- Davies, A. J., Kelly, S. P., Naylor, S. G., Bhatt, P. R., Mathews, J. P., Sahni, J., … & Morrell, A. J. (2012). Adverse ophthalmic reaction in poppers users: case series of ‘poppers maculopathy.’ Eye, 26(11), 1479-1486. https://www.nature.com/articles/eye2012191
- Hall, A. P., Henry, J. A. (2006). Acute toxic effects of ‘poppers’ on the cardiovascular system. Oxford Journal of Medicine, 99(3), 185-191. https://academic.oup.com/qjmed/article/99/3/196/2261108
- Hapeman, E. (1990). Amyl Nitrite and Butyl Nitrite. In Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/0471238961.0112112508011313.a01.pub2
- Wu, A. H. B., & Linder, L. M. (2016). Toxicity of Inhaled Alkyl Nitrites: A Literature Review. Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 40(6), 447-451. https://academic.oup.com/jat/article/40/6/445/2237814
What people ask
Poppers are a type of recreational drug, technically referred to as alkyl nitrites. They are usually sold in small bottles as a liquid inhaled for its intoxicating effects.
Poppers are typically inhaled directly from the bottle. The liquid inside the bottle gives off a vapour, which is breathed in through the nose or mouth. It is important to note that they are not meant for oral consumption, as swallowing them can cause serious health issues.
Poppers produce a brief, intense feeling of euphoria, decreased inhibition, and perceived enhancement of sexual experiences. Effects can also include light-headedness, dizziness, and visual distortions.
The effects of poppers are generally short-lived, often lasting only a few minutes.
Poppers are legal in the UK. However, the legal status of poppers can vary in different countries and regions, so it’s always important to check the laws in your specific location.
Poppers come with several risks, including headaches, respiratory problems, nose bleeds, heart issues, and, in some cases, a condition affecting the eyes called ‘poppers maculopathy’, which can lead to vision loss.
While poppers are not typically considered physically addictive, some people may develop a psychological dependence on the effects of the drug, particularly its enhancement of sexual experiences.