Poppers

A selection of poppers

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]

  1. ^ a b c Romanelli F, Smith KM, Thornton AC, Pomeroy C (2004). "Poppers: Epidemiology and Clinical Management of Inhaled Nitrite Abuse". Pharmacotherapy: The Journal of Human Pharmacology and Drug Therapy. 24 (1): 69–78. doi:10.1592/phco.24.1.69.34801. ISSN 0277-0008. PMID 14740789. S2CID 44991387.
  2. ^ Davies AJ, Kelly SP, Naylor SG, Bhatt PR, Mathews JP, Sahni J, et al. (2012). "Adverse ophthalmic reaction in poppers users: case series of 'poppers maculopathy'". Eye. 26 (11): 1479–1486. doi:10.1038/eye.2012.191. ISSN 1476-5454. PMC 3496104. PMID 23079752.
  3. ^ Vignal-Clermont C, Audo I, Sahel JA, Paques M (14 October 2010). "Poppers-Associated Retinal Toxicity". New England Journal of Medicine. 363 (16): 1583–1585. doi:10.1056/NEJMc1005118. ISSN 0028-4793. PMID 20942681.
  4. ^ Zhao P, Tang S, Wang C, Zhang Y, Best J, Tangthanasup TM, et al. (20 January 2017). "Recreational Drug Use among Chinese MSM and Transgender Individuals: Results from a National Online Cross-Sectional Study". PLOS ONE. 12 (1): e0170024. Bibcode:2017PLoSO..1270024Z. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0170024. PMC 5249205. PMID 28107391.
  5. ^ Schmidt AJ, Bourne A, Weatherburn P, Reid D, Marcus U, Hickson F (December 2016). "Illicit drug use among gay and bisexual men in 44 cities: Findings from the European MSM Internet Survey (EMIS)". The International Journal on Drug Policy. 38: 4–12. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.09.007. PMID 27788450.
  6. ^ "Sex and Poppers". SexInfo Online. 28 November 2017. Archived from the original on 2019-12-26. Retrieved 2020-05-01.
  7. ^ "Nitrites". Drugscope. Archived from the original on 2007-04-05. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
  8. ^ Nickerson M (1979). Isobutyl nitrite and related compounds. Pharmex. OCLC 4790673.[page needed]