What is it?
Poppers is a liquid, short-acting substance that has a distinctive chemical odor.
The substances present in poppers belong to the alkyl nitrite class. Common ingredients are: Amyl nitrite (also pentyl nitrite), isopropyl nitrite, hexyl nitrite or isobutyl nitrite. Although they all belong to the class of alkyl nitrites, they have different properties, such as different odor or intensity of effects. Each agent has its own health risks. For information on the individual active ingredients, click on the “Side and long-term effects” tab. Various alkyl nitrites may be present in poppers, even sometimes in combination. This means that depending on which poppers you use, you are exposed to different substances with different health risks. Isopropyl nitrite and isobutyl nitrite are classified as carcinogenic and harmful to eyes.
Alkyl nitrites rapidly release nitric oxide (NO) in the body, which has muscle-relaxing, blood pressure-lowering, pain-inhibiting, and sexually stimulating effects. The active ingredients are rapidly decomposed by contact with the air.
It is not possible to deduce the material ingredients from brand names. Depending on where the poppers were made and where you buy poppers, they may contain different ingredients. If you read the text on the bottles carefully, as well as any additional labels attached, you may be able to find the exact ingredient used in that particular bottle. However, labeling can often be incorrect or incomplete. Many popper types contain several alkyl nitrites and are contaminated with degradation products (alcohols).
Poppers are not subject to narcotics laws. As such, possession and consumption of poppers is allowed in Germany. However, as poppers are subject to German drug laws, they require a special license for production and sale.
How is it taken?
The vapors of the liquid are inhaled, for example by sniffing directly from the bottle or from a soaked cloth.
Poppers can cause burns if it comes into contact with your skin. Avoid contact with the nose or any other parts of the body!
Under no circumstances should poppers be drunk! There is a risk of death.
How does it feel?
Every substance has a different effect on different people. The effect of poppers depends on personal factors (body size, tolerance, amount consumed, on a full or empty stomach, …). An important role is played by your environment, and by your mental and physical condition.
Inhaling the popper vapors causes an immediate but brief high that lasts just a few moments. Sniffing poppers may increase your desire for sex and make you perceive touch and pain differently. Poppers relax the muscles. Some individuals use poppers to relax the anus in order to be ready to be fucked.
Side effects and long-term impact
The substances contained in poppers belong to the class of alkyl nitrites. All alkyl nitrites share common effects and health risks. Yet at the same time, there are differences in the nature of the (side) effects between the various active ingredients that may be found in poppers. You can read more about the individual active ingredients (amyl nitrite (also called pentyl nitrite), isopropyl nitrite, hexyl nitrite or isobutyl nitrite) below.
When poppers are consumed, there is an undersupply of oxygen in the brain and other organs. The alkyl nitrites oxidize the iron in hemoglobin (blood). The methemoglobin does not then transport oxygen. In laboratory tests, it was discovered that alkyl nitrites can damage the genetic DNA material and have a mutagenic effect. Poppers increases heart rate and lowers blood pressure.
In general, sniffing poppers can cause these side effects:
- headache
- Dizziness
- Visual impairment
- nausea
- Erectile dysfunction
- Circulatory problems
- Coughing
- Feeling hot
- Reddening of the skin
- increased heart rate
- Skin irritations
If you sniff poppers regularly for a long time, it can cause permanent damage, such as:
- Nerve damage
- Memory and concentration disorders
- Damage to the respiratory tract
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Impotence
- Anemia
- Weakened immune system
- Vision damage (there are known cases where use of about 3-4 times per week has resulted in eye damage).
In the class of alkyl nitrites, there are different types of substances that have different effects and whose consumption entails different risks. Important: Poppers with the same name or label don’t always have the same ingredients in them, depending on where they’re made.
Amyl nitrite (also known as pentyl nitrite)
can cause an increase in intracranial pressure and intraocular pressure. Reports from users indicate that after consumption there may be a yellowish tint to your vision.
Hexylnitrit
is a relatively new substance sold as poppers. It is supposed to be softer in effect yet longer lasting. The smell is not supposed to be so strong. The health risks are said to be comparable to those of amyl nitrite (pentyl nitrite).
Isobutyl nitrite
is classified as carcinogenic according to the EU Dangerous Substances Directive and is generally no longer sold as poppers. Isobutyl nitrite also causes a weakening of the immune system.
Isopropyl nitrite
Also has a carcinogenic effect! Isopropyl nitrite is also associated with macular degeneration (damage to the retina leading to impaired vision or blindness), visual field defects (“blind spots” in the visual field), and yellow spots in vision.
Overdose
In the event of an overdose, there is an extremely rapid drop in blood pressure. This can result in the body being undersupplied with blood and oxygen. Possible consequences can include severe headaches, unconsciousness, and cardiac and respiratory arrest.
In case of persistent feeling unwell, severe weakness, difficulty breathing or blue coloration of the skin and mucous membranes, get medical help. If you find an unconscious person, check if the person is breathing, provide first aid and call an ambulance (112).
You can find more information about drug emergencies here. You can also contact these hotlines:
Drug emergency telephone: 01806 313031 (24 hours)Drug emergency service: 030 19237 (24 hours)
Drug combinations
Generally speaking: consuming more than one substance at a time puts your body and your mental state under more pressure. Certain effects may be intensified, weakened or delayed by the interactions. The risk of overdose or side effects becomes unpredictable. In addition, the composition of poppers is not always known, so the effect of mixed consumption is basically unpredictable.
- Poppers + Erectile Stimulants: Never combine Poppers with Viagra, Cialis, Levitra or other erectile stimulants from the PDE-5 inhibitor series. You risk danger to your life, as you may experience a severe drop in blood pressure or even fatal cardiovascular failure.
- Poppers + Alcohol or Cannabis: Stresses the cardiovascular system. Nausea, dizziness and vomiting can be the result.
- Poppers + Uppers (e.g., cocaine, speed, crystal): Increases the likelihood of life-threatening cardiovascular failure. Dizziness is likely to occur.
- Poppers + Subduing Substances (e.g. heroin, GHB/GBL, ketamine): the subduing properties reinforce each other. This increases the likelihood of respiratory arrest and unconsciousness.
- Poppers + Medication: If you are taking medication for low blood pressure, epilepsy, angina pectoris, cardiovascular or respiratory disease, you should never consume substances that are inhaled. A combination of these substances can lead to a sudden and life-threatening drop in blood pressure. In particular, taking nitrate-containing drugs such as NO donors (e.g., nitrolingual spray) is very risky.
- However, drugs that act like poppers in their effect on methemoglobin formation can also have a negative effect (e.g., benzocaine from lozenges for sore throats or sulfonamides). This may result in an undersupply of oxygen to the blood: headaches, cyanosis (blue discoloration of parts of the skin and mucous membranes) and unconsciousness are all possible.
Addiction potential and withdrawal
Consumption of poppers can lead to a psychological addiction. If you take poppers in a sexual setting, sex without them may no longer be arousing for you. If you feel this is the case for you, you can seek support from counseling centers or groups offering advice on substance use or chemsex.
Safer Use
- Poppers are a highly flammable liquid. Keep them away from flames and cigarettes.
- If poppers are swallowed, call an emergency doctor immediately! Never try to make yourself or another person vomit, as this can further burn the esophagus and throat.
- Poppers impairs oxygen supply. Get some fresh air if you have a headache or dizziness.
- Consume poppers only if your respiratory system is healthy. Sniffling when you have cold or flu symptoms further irritates your airways. As well as this, poppers weaken the immune system.
- Find out what active ingredients are in the poppers you want to buy or use.
- Avoid poppers with the active ingredients (lso-)propyl nitrite and (iso-)butyl nitrite. They cause cancer and eye damage.
- Do not consume if you have epilepsy, anemia, low blood pressure, valvular heart disease or cardiac arrhythmia, also not after pneumonia or asthma.
- Poppers have a limited shelf life. The substance breaks down over time. Store poppers in a dark and cool place. Bring the bottle to room temperature before opening.
- Don’t keep poppers in the refrigerator. The temperature fluctuations destroy the chemicals. It should also not be exposed to the sun.
- Booster caps (special attachments for the bottle) protect the nose.
- Drug interactions pose a high health risk. Talk to your doctors about drug interactions.
- Do not consume poppers alone. Unexpected side effects can always occur. Inform your friends about what you have consumed.
Safer Sex
- It can be difficult to maintain an erection on poppers. If the penis becomes flaccid, safer sex with a condom does not work. Wait until things work again or choose another protection strategy in the medium term.
- The combination of poppers with erectile enhancers (e.g. Viagra) is life-threatening.
- Poppers briefly make you lose your inhibitions, this can make safer sex less important to you. Get tested for sexually transmitted infections at least once a year and check your hepatitis A/B vaccination status.
- Only sleep with people who can communicate boundaries and consent! If a person is so high that he or she is no longer able to converse, he or she is also incapable of giving consent. Under no circumstances may sexual acts be (further) performed on them. This is true even if mutual intentions were previously discussed while conscious. It may be a criminal offense.
- Poppers dilates blood vessels in the ass and rectal area. This increases the likelihood of minor bleeding, through which HIV, hepatitis, and other sexually transmitted infections are transmitted.
- Poppers relax the sphincter muscle, which makes sex and fisting easier. Before getting down to business, get sufficient amounts of sex utensils (gloves, condoms, lubricant) ready.
- Pay attention to your body! If you notice any abnormalities, you should consult a doctor.
- Information on first aid for chemsex emergencies can be found here.
Interactions with HIV treatment
- Interactions with HIV medications are currently not known.
- Take drugs and HIV medications at different times. This might decrease the chance of side-effects. Always keep the dose of drugs low when taking medication at the same time.
- Since it may be a long night, bring enough medication with you and stick to your medication schedule.
- Talk to your doctor about the interaction of your HIV medications with intoxicants.
- Information on interactions between substances and HIV medications . can be found here
Counseling
- Would you like to talk about your use, have questions, or are looking for support about substance use?
- Do you want to share and/or reflect on your substance experiences with someone?
- Feeling that you are using too much?
- Are you worried about friends or acquaintances and want advice or tips on how to deal with the situation as a friend?
- Feeling that you are using too much? The drug advice services in your area will be happy to help you! You can find the addresses here.
Sources: