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Poppers (or popper) is a slang term referring to recreational drugs belonging to the alkyl nitrite family of chemical compounds. When fumes from these substances are inhaled, they act as potent vasodilators, producing mild euphoria, warmth, and dizziness. Most effects have a rapid onset and are short-acting.[1] Reported adverse effects include retinal toxicity and vision loss.[2][3] As poppers include a broad range of chemical types, their legality differs across different jurisdictions. They are often packaged under the guise of room deodorizer, leather polish, nail polish remover, or videotape head cleaner to evade anti-drug laws.[1]
The term poppers stems from the "popping" sound of glass vials containing the substance when crushed to release vapour for inhalation. Amyl nitrite, a chemical analogue of alkyl nitrite was originally prescribed in the late 1800s for the medical management of angina.[1] Many analogues exist, such as isoamyl nitrite, isopentyl nitrite, isopropyl nitrite, and isobutyl nitrite. These substances are subject to different regulations, for example, isobutyl nitrite is banned in the European Union.
Popper use has a relaxation effect on involuntary smooth muscles, such as those in the throat and anus.[4][5] It is used for practical purposes to facilitate anal sex by increasing blood flow and relaxing sphincter muscles.[6] The drug is also used for recreational purposes, typically for the "high" or "rush" that the drug can create, and to enhance sexual pleasure in general.
In popular culture, poppers have been part of club culture from the mid-1970s disco scene and surged in popularity in the 1980s and 1990s rave scene.[7][8]