What is it
Poppers are a popular drug which is mainly used for sexual stimulation and enjoyment.
Their composition consists mainly of starch nitrate (hence their official name is amyl nitrite). Sometimes they contain butyl nitrate or even cyclohexyl, isopentyl and isoamyl nitrate which are strong chemicals.
It is a very flammable clear or yellow liquid with a sweet fragrance, resembling that of the pine nuts when fresh.
But when it's not it smells like dirty socks.
They are usually packaged in a glass capsule or vial and the user either breaks or pulls the cap off to release the fumes.
Fumes are usually inhaled directly from the bottle.
They are sold in sex shops, clubs, bars, some clothing and record shops by mail order or on the internet.
Historical route
The use of starch nitrite was first used for medical and pharmaceutical purposes after its benefits were discovered in 1859.
From 1960 onwards and as soon as amyl nitrite was removed from general circulation, amyl butylate began to be marketed as an air freshener to circumvent the laws. Manufacturers again found a way around the laws but eventually all products with amyl butylate were banned in the US in 1988.
Congress in 1991 made sales of all nitrous illegal.
From then until today their production, distribution and sale has been illegal.
The recreational use of poppers became popular in the 1950s in entertainment circles in the USA and Great Britain.
The first to adopt the use were homosexuals. They discovered the muscle-relaxing properties of poppers, which facilitate anal sex and also prolong the duration of orgasm.
Poppers are also used to provide euphoria at parties. In the 1970's it was a staple in US discotheques. There it moved to the disco and later to the rave scene in Europe, often in combination with other drugs.
The use of
Use is either inhaled, or some users choose to dip their cigarette in the substance and then inhale deeply through the cigarette.
Which increases its danger as the chemical composition of poppers makes it flammable.
Although not typically a stimulant, all nitrites have a similar effect to stimulants.
They dilate the blood vessels and consequently there is increased blood flow to the head.
The effect of inhaling the fumes is almost instantaneous and lasts very little.
Users report that they are "getting a head start" and feel that time is moving slower.
When the use is made for sexual pleasure, then users report that the feeling of orgasm duration was longer and does not allow premature ejaculation.
Also, poppers relax the anal muscles making anal penetration easier and more painless.
Side effects
The most common and immediate side effects are dizziness, severe headache, nausea, vomiting and flushing of the face and throat.
If large amounts are ingested (instead of inhaling fumes) it can lead to unconsciousness. Deaths due to unconsciousness have also been observed.
Nitrites cause a decrease in oxigen in the blood, this leads to methaemoglobulinemia.
The symptoms of this are similar to those of acute anaemia.
Therefore, anyone with a history of anaemia may be at risk of using poppers.
The symptoms of this are similar to those of acute anaemia.
Therefore, anyone with a history of anaemia may be at risk of using poppers.
Users have lost consciousness after use because they subjected themselves to intense physical activity, such as dancing or running.
Poppers increase eye pressure and are definitely contraindicated in glaucoma sufferers.
Amyl nitrite in combination with other drugs such as Ecstasy, LSD etc. can have dangerous and unpredictable effects on the user.
Viagra if consumed with poppers is likely to cause problems for the user such as fainting due to low blood pressure. In extreme cases, he may have a stroke.
The use of poppers is associated with an increased risk of HIV transmission. As it more than doubles one's chance of contracting HIV during passive anal sex.
Κprobably because they increase blood flow to the anal tissues, making them more vulnerable to infection.
Κprobably because they increase blood flow to the anal tissues, making them more vulnerable to infection.
The evidence so far shows that it does not increase the chances of having unprotected sex.
Study data
A 2007 study reports that poppers are relatively safe. It ranked them 19th out of 20 drugs that have the effect of causing addiction and physical harm.
However, last year a study showed that the adulteration of solvents in poppers converts them into non-poppers and these illegitimate formulations can even cause damage to the vision of some users.
In conclusion
With poppers you feel "high" - "high" and it creates a different mood in sex, but it needs sparing and full obedience at general instructions to avoid ending up in an unpleasant experience.
People with a heavy medical history should avoid it.
Όσοι το τολμήσουν θα πρέπει να γνωρίζουν πως χρειάζεται σύνεση και λήψη όλων των απαραίτητων μέτρων για να αποφευχθούν όσο το δυνατόν δυσάρεστες παρενέργειες για τους χρήστες.
Όσοι το τολμήσουν θα πρέπει να γνωρίζουν πως χρειάζεται σύνεση και λήψη όλων των απαραίτητων μέτρων για να αποφευχθούν όσο το δυνατόν δυσάρεστες παρενέργειες για τους χρήστες.
