Poppers are a type of inhalant that contain amyl nitrite and butyl nitrite. These products cause blood vessel dilation and muscle relaxation and are used for sexual enhancement. Poppers carry many serious short- and long-term risks. Some of the damage caused by poppers may be permanent.
To use this medication, you crush a cloth-covered glass capsule between your thumb and finger, wave it back and forth near your nose, and inhale the vapor one to six times. You may faint or feel dizzy afterward. In recreational use, people do poppers to feel calm, boost their skin's sensations, and relax their muscles.
Today, poppers can be purchased online, at gas stations, or at adult novelty stores. They are often sold in 10-15 mL bottles with brand names including “Rush,” “Jungle Juice,” or “Liquid Gold,” and are often marketed as room “deodorizers,” leather cleaners, head cleaners, or nail polish removers.
Poppers are highly flammable and can cause chemical burns on the skin, leading to rashes around the nose and mouth. Poppers can cause nausea, headache, and disorientation. In recent years, there have been reports of people experiencing temporary and permanent loss of vision after using poppers.
You shouldn't take them if you have problems with your blood pressure, are on any blood pressure medication, or if you're taking erectile dysfunction medication such as Viagra. Fatal 'sudden sniffing death syndrome' has been reported due to development of an abnormal heart rhythm when taking poppers.
However, long term effects can range from mild allergic reactions to potentially life threatening methaemoglobinaemia – a blood disorder that causes inadequate oxygen supply to body tissue. Frequent use can also cause a rash around the mouth, nose and eyes, or any skin that is in regular contact with the vapour.