by Clemens Egger (he/him), 18 April 2023

Chances are you didn’t use it the way it’s actually advertised as. But what is it exactly, what we are sniffing here. Let’s solve this tender conundrum – shall we?

Poppers is a liquid drug whose vapors are inhaled through the nose. This liquid substance belongs to the group of alkyl nitrites. The exact active ingredients contained in the drug are amyl nitrite, isopropyl nitrite, and cyclohexyl nitrite. But what does that mean exactly? In chemistry, we speak of so-called esters of alcohols and nitrous acids. Alkyl nitrites form during the reaction of dinitrogen trioxide with alcohols or by the reaction of alcohols with sodium nitrite while adding the equal amount of hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid. That might even sound confusing to those who didn’t skip chemistry class back in high school. Chemistry might not be your cup of tea in theory but once you sniffed some Poppers and feel your body’s reaction to it, you’ll be amazed. Poppers has a characteristic chemical odor, remotely reminiscent of chloroform. It decomposes quite quickly in contact with oxygen, which can be detected by the very intense pungent smell. More interestingly though, is the question of where this substance comes from and what it does to our body once we take a sniff.

Poppers was first synthesized in 1844 by a French chemist named Jérôme Balard. But, the substance was not used as it is today. In 1867, Scottish physician Thomas Lauder Brunton used Balards’ Poppers as a remedy for angina pectoris. Angina is a constriction of the blood vessels around the heart, which causes severe pain.Thomas Lauder Brunton popped the case of the ampoules filled with amyl nitrite and let patients inhale the vapor of the substance. That's where the term 'Poppers' comes from. Inhaling the vapor caused a vasodilating effect, also called vasodilation. This vasodilation reduced the severe pain caused by angina pectoris. The Poppers we know and use today are a little different in composition than in the late 19th century, but it follows the same principle of vasodilation.

Poppers are inhaled through the nose. You hold the small bottle to one nostril, hold the other nostril closed and breathe in deeply. After about 1 to 3 seconds, the first physical effects kick in as the chemical enters your bloodstream. By inhaling drugs through the nose, the chemical enters the central bloodstream directly through the nasal cavity, through which it is passed to your heart and brain. Because of this very short distance, the chemical must travel, to reach the heart and brain, the desired effect occurs after only a few seconds. Depending on the intensity of inhalation, the effect lasts longer. Usually between 1 and 10 minutes. Because of this rapid onset and short-lasting effect, alkyl nitrites are used as intoxicants. Besides the feeling of intoxication, poppers increases sexual desire and relax the muscles and thus also the sphincter aka your anus. Also, the chemical is said to have aphrodisiac and pain-relieving effects. That is why this drug is particularly attractive, especially for people who practice anal intercourse. But it is not only gay men who enjoy Poppers.

A study conducted in 2019 in the United States examined the use of the drug Poppers among adults aged 18 to 64. The survey found that an estimated 3.3% of adults surveyed had at least once used Poppers. More than one-third (35.1%) of gay men reported ever having taken the substance. Estimates were lower among heterosexual (3.7%) and bisexual men (11.3%), heterosexual (1.8%), bisexual (4.8%), and lesbian women (6.3%). From this study, it can be inferred that Poppers are especially popular among homosexual men. Another study conducted in China with a similar research design concluded that over a quarter (26.8%) of homosexual men surveyed had used Poppers. This drug was actually the most popular drug among the study participants. While the use of alcohol among homosexual men in the Netherlands decreased from 1995 to 2019, the use of poppers increased significantly, a long-term study found. The results of individual studies suggest with clear certainty that Poppers is a drug predominantly used by gay men. The studies also show that the drug is mainly used in a sexual context, which is not surprising when we keep the effect it has on our body in mind.

Although it might seem that sniffing Poppers would not only make it easier and less painful to have anal intercourse but even increase the intensity of your orgasm – there are quite a few side effects worth mentioning.

Poppers increase heart rate, dilate blood vessels, and lower blood pressure. Therefore, it can cause severe dizziness, circulatory problems, and nausea. In extreme cases, you could even pass out. Erectile dysfunction is also a side effect, and especially in the sexual context quite unpleasant. In an interview with Vice Germany in 2016, a Berlin-based ophthalmologist also reported isolated cases of vision impairment from poppers. He clarifies that most people have mild problems at first, but also states that pronounced disabilities of vision can occur. Very important to mention is the fact that you should never use Poppers in combination with sexual enhancers like Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra. It can lead to a drop in blood pressure and even cardiovascular failure, according to “Deutsche Aids Hilfe e.V.” And that can cost you your life. Additionally, drinking the liquid could cause severe chemical burns and can consequently lead to death.

Although its side effects, the usage of Poppers is considered harmless in comparison to other drugs, a comparative study from 2022 showed. The researchers examined the harms of poppers in comparison to other drugs like cocaine, ketamine, and ecstasy (just to name a few) and concluded that Poppers are one of the three lowest drugs on the overall harm scale. According to the German Narcotics Act, Poppers are not even considered a drug. That is because there is no proof that the substance is addictive. Nonetheless are Poppers (in Germany) merely a prescription medication, for which the doctor would have to issue a prescription. However, since the product is no longer needed in medicine, there is no longer a market for it. That is why it is not that easy to purchase. One would have to purchase Poppers online. Although it is officially forbidden to import the substance from abroad, it is in practice not too difficult. There are even stores and online shops advertising that they will provide a replacement if the drug is confiscated by the customs office.

Poppers became a big part of queer culture and are celebrated as an iconic symbol of our community up until today. Apart from the advantages that one has especially when having anal sex, we should keep in mind its side effects. It might not be considered as harmful as other drugs but there is still the chance to suffer from long-term consequences. So, use it with caution, and please sniff it, don’t drink it for god's sake!