Things to know about poppers

Dose

The more often poppers are sniffed, the more is needed to get the same effect. Sensitivity comes back by not taking them for a few days.

While a drop in blood pressure can make some people faint when sniffing poppers, the only real danger is swallowing poppers. This can be fatal as they interfere with the heart.

Wearing a gas mask with a tissue dipped in poppers inside, taking in a high does of the fumes, can make you feel very ill.

The down side

As poppers cause a drop in blood pressure, this can make a man lose his erection. Some people feel dizzy or actually faint.

The main side-effect of poppers can be a headache.

If the bottle touches the nose or skin, popper burns occur which can take days to heal.

Sometimes the cap's seal becomes faulty and poppers leak out, burning the skin touched by the liquid. If spilled onto the skin, into the eyes or mouth, poppers should be immediately washed away with plenty of water. Seek medical attention.

Problem use

Although not strictly speaking addictive people can become psychologically dependent on poppers, as sex becomes closely linked to them, using them daily including for masturbation.

The liquid is flammable and should be kept away from cigarettes and naked flames.

At risk

The drug should not be used by those with glaucoma (an eye condition), high or low blood pressure, heart conditions or anaemia. Ask your doctor for advice.

Animal tests have shown poppers cause immune system damage or cancer. These tests studied far higher levels of the drug than used by humans. There's no proof yet of poppers causing long-term damage to the human immune system but they can be habit–forming.

It appears that after using poppers certain parts of the immune system don't work as well, but this effect appears to wear off within a few days.

Studies show men who sniff poppers when getting fucked without a condom are more likely to get HIV (compared to men who do the same thing but without poppers). Just how isn't fully understood but possible reasons are:

• poppers relax the muscle that the walls of blood vessels are made from. This opens them more, making more blood flow into the arse. As blood vessels relax and expand they get bigger and thinner. This might make it easier for HIV to get through them. It might also make blood vessels more likely to break then bleed during anal sex. Both of these could make it easier for HIV to enter a man's bloodstream if he gets fucked without a condom
• because poppers relax the muscle in the sphincter making it easier to be fucked, fisted or take sex toys, men who use poppers might be more likely to have rougher sex (with more bleeding)
• some researchers think poppers might weaken the immune system for a few days, leaving someone more open to picking up HIV

Tip: If you don’t have HIV, avoid poppers if being fucked. Or make sure a condom’s used

For more about Poppers, HIV and health
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Mixing

With erection drugs

Mixing Viagra (or similar erection medication) with poppers can cause a dangerous, sometimes fatal, drop in blood pressure. The makers of some erection drugs warn against them using with poppers.

With HIV and erection drugs

People taking some HIV drugs (protease inhibitors) and Viagra-type drugs should be extremely cautious about also sniffing poppers. The HIV meds raise levels of Viagra in the body, increasing any risk from poppers use.
Find out more

With stimulants

As poppers put a strain on the heart, there can be increased risks in taking them when using other stimulants (for example cocaine, E, speed and crystal meth).

The law

In 2007 the law changed and poppers made from isobutyl nitrite became illegal and a new formula has replaced them.

Although they are controlled by the Medicines Act, possessing poppers is not illegal under UK law. To get round restrictions against selling poppers as a product to be breathed in, they're described as a ‘room deodoriser’, ‘leather cleaner’ or ‘tape head cleaner’.

The legality of poppers varies outside the UK. They may be confiscated if found at points of entry to some countries.

More information and support

For help and advice concerning drugs see the page of Useful info and support in the Power room on this website.