Poppers

A selection of poppers

Poppers is a slang term given to the chemical class called alkyl nitrites that are inhaled for recreational purposes, especially in preparation for sex or during nightlife activities. Today poppers are mainly sold in small cap vials or bottles and are often marketed under names such as room aroma, leather cleaner or similar labels.

Most widely sold products include the compounds amyl nitrite, isoamyl nitrite, isopentyl nitrite, cyclohexyl nitrite, isobutyl nitrite, 2-methylpropyl nitrite and isopropyl nitrite. Isopropyl nitrite became more common after the European Union banned isobutyl nitrite in 2007. More rarely sold is the compound butyl nitrite.

Poppers have been associated with nightlife and sexual culture since the 1970s disco scene in United States. They remained common in the 1980s club culture in United Kingdom and rest of the Europe and the 1990s rave scene in Berlin and other cities in Germany, and are still widely used in some nightlife environments today.

History

In 1844 the French chemist Antoine Jérôme Balard synthesized amyl nitrite. Scottish physician Sir Thomas Lauder Brunton later pioneered the use of amyl nitrite to treat angina pectoris by dilating blood vessels and improving blood flow to the heart.

Reports from publications such as Time and the Wall Street Journal noted that poppers became popular among homosexual men as a way to enhance sexual pleasure and relax muscles during sex, but the practice later spread into wider nightlife and party scenes.

By the late 1970s poppers had become strongly associated with gay discos, underground clubs and experimental sexual culture.

Chemistry

Poppers are a type of chemical called "alkyl nitrites." These are chemical compounds with the structure R–ONO and can be called alkyl esters of nitrous acid.

The initial members of the class are liquids that change quickly. At room temperature and pressure, methyl nitrite and ethyl nitrite are both gasses. Organic nitrites are made by mixing alcohols with sodium nitrite in sulfuric acid solution. They break down slowly when they come into contact with air.

Physical and chemical properties

Alkyl nitrite	CAS	Formula	Molecular weight	Physical state	Boiling point
Amyl nitrite	110-46-3	(CH3)2CHCH2CH2ONO	117.15	Liquid	97–99°C
Butyl nitrite	544-16-1	CH3(CH2)2CH2ONO	103.12	Oily liquid	78°C
Isobutyl nitrite	542-56-3	(CH3)2CHCH2ONO	103.12	Liquid	67°C
Isopropyl nitrite	541-42-4	(CH3)2CHONO	89.09	Pale yellow oil	39°C

Usage

Sexual use

Inhaling nitrites relaxes the smooth muscles in the body. Smooth muscle surrounds blood vessels and certain organs, and relaxing these muscles causes blood vessels to dilate. This produces a sudden drop in blood pressure and a brief but intense head rush.

Poppers are commonly used to enhance sexual experiences and especially among gay and bi-sexual men. One reason for their popularity is that they relax the internal and external anal sphincter muscles, which can make anal intercourse easier and less painful.

Users also report that poppers can intensify orgasms and increase sensations of warmth and euphoria during sex.

Poppers are extremely common among transexual prostitutes. In Thailand example, almost all ladyboys carry a small poppers bottle in their purse, while at the red-light districts of Europe, you can be almost 100 percent sure that transexual prostitutes will have poppers in their rooms.

Nightlife use

Outside sexual settings poppers are sometimes used in clubs or parties because the rush effect is quick and short lasting. They have been associated with dance clubs, rave culture and underground nightlife scenes for decades.

Administration

The poppers liquid should never be swallowed since its extremely dangerous. Swallowing alkyl nitrites can cause poisoning, unconsciousness and potentially fatal complications. Poppers is usually inhaled thru the nostril from the bottle, but this is also risky since it can easily spill and burn your skin. Many user say it is best to put poppers on a small cotton and then put it in a tiny ziplock bag or a small bottle to avoid the burn and get more intense rush.

Types of Poppers

Different popper formulas use different alkyl nitrites. These influence how strong the rush feels and how long it lasts.

Type	Experience	Notes
Amyl nitrite	Warm, deep and long lasting rush	Often considered the smoothest formula
Pentyl nitrite	Strong and longer lasting	Popular for longer sexual sessions
Isobutyl nitrite	Sharp and strong rush	Once common in the United States
Isopropyl nitrite	Fast acting but harsher	Common in many European “room aroma” products

How Long Do Poppers Last

The effects begin very quickly after inhalation. Once opened, the liquid slowly evaporates.

Onset usually occurs within 10–15 seconds
Peak effects occur around 30 seconds
The rush normally lasts 2–5 minutes

Typical shelf life:

Opened bottle: about 2–4 weeks
Refrigerated bottle: up to 1–2 months
Unopened bottle: 6–12 months when stored in a cool dark place

Popular Poppers Brands

Several brands dominate the global poppers market.

Well known brands include:

Rush
Jungle Juice
Amsterdam
Iron Horse
Everest Premium

Different brands may use different nitrite formulas, which can affect strength and duration.

Where to Buy Poppers

Poppers are usually sold in adult shops, bdsm fetish stores and nightlife areas in many countries. Because many laws prohibit selling them specifically for inhalation and for sex, they are often labeled as room aroma, leather cleaner or similar products rather than openly marketed as poppers. In most major nightlife cities you will usually find them in sex shops located near red-light districts or gay nightlife and party areas.

In Amsterdam many adult shops around De Wallen sell poppers openly for travellers, especially in stores that cater to tourists and nightlife visitors. They are commonly displayed near lubricants and club accessories.

In Berlin poppers are often found in BDSM fetish shops and adult boutiques around Schöneberg, a district well known for its gay bars, clubs and late-night party districts.

In London they are commonly sold in adult shops in Soho, particularly in stores serving the city's nightlife and club crowd.

In Barcelona some adult stores in the Gaixample area sell poppers along with other nightlife products but only under the table.

In Bangkok they are not always openly displayed in shops, but adult stores near the Silom nightlife area sometimes carry them. Street vendors in the Sukhumvit nightlife zone between Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy have also been known to sell them all day long for around 300 to 500 THB.

In Tokyo poppers are usually sold under labels such as “aroma liquid” in adult shops around the Shinjuku Ni-chome nightlife district.

In the United States poppers are often sold in adult novelty stores in cities with large nightlife scenes such as New York City, Los Angeles and Miami. Availability varies depending on local laws.

Poppers prices vary by country but usually range around US$10 to US$20 for a small bottle and US$15 to US$30 for larger bottles depending on the brand.

Usage Statistics

Poppers are strongly associated with gay nightlife and sexual culture, although they are also used by heterosexual couples and partygoers.

Studies suggest:

Around 40–60% of gay and bisexual men in active nightlife scenes have used poppers.
In some Chemsex environments the percentage may reach 70–75%.
Among the general heterosexual population usage is estimated at roughly 4–6%.

The higher prevalence among men who have sex with men is largely due to the muscle relaxing effects that can facilitate receptive anal intercourse.

Health issues

Short-term effects may include headaches, dizziness and flushing of the face.

Direct skin contact with the liquid may cause chemical burns or yellow discoloration.

Important: poppers should never be used together with erectile dysfunction medications such as Viagra, Cialis or Levitra because both substances lower blood pressure and may cause dangerous cardiovascular reactions.