Warning
This is an unofficial archive of PsychonautWiki as of 2025-08-11T15:14:44Z. Content on this page may be outdated, incomplete, or inaccurate. Please refer to the original page for the most up-to-date information.

Poppers: Difference between revisions

From PsychonautWiki Archive
Jump to navigation Jump to search
>Josikins
No edit summary
>Unknown user
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
{|
|-
|-
| ''[[Poppers/Summary|Summary sheet: Poppers]]''
|}
[[File:HOpoppers.jpg|300px|thumbnail|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 sexual activities).<ref>Volatile Nitrites | http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/special_subjects/drug_use_and_dependence/volatile_nitrites.html?qt=&sc=&alt=</ref> Today, poppers are mainly sold in cap vials.


Most widely sold concentrated products include the original compound amyl nitrite (isoamyl nitrite, isopentyl nitrite), cyclohexyl nitrite, isobutyl nitrite (2-methylpropyl nitrite), and isopropyl nitrite (2-propyl nitrite). Isopropyl nitrite became popular due to a ban on isobutyl nitrite in the European Union in 2007. The compound butyl nitrite is more rarely sold.
They were part of the club culture from the 1970s disco scene to the 1980s. The 1990s rave scene made their use popular.<ref>Nitrates | http://web.archive.org/web/20070405132026/http://www.drugscope.org.uk/druginfo/drugsearch/ds_results.asp?file=%5cwip%5c11%5c1%5c1%5cnitrites.html</ref>
==Usage==
Poppers are an inhalant; they have very low vapor points and become airborne almost immediately at room temperature. The most common method of taking them is to simply open the bottle, hold it under one's nose, and inhale. Other methods of popper usage such as [[Routes_of_Administration#Oral|oral]] use are extremely dangerous and can potentially result in death or coma. It is also worth noting that poppers burn the skin on contact and are extremely flammable.
The effects of the drug are intense, but short-lived. They start after about 15 seconds and last for up to 3 minutes.
Poppers lose their freshness within a few hours if the bottle is left open or not properly closed. If they are stored correctly in the refrigerator they will remain fresh for a couple of weeks.
==Chemistry==
[[File:200px-Nitrite-ester-2D.png|200px|thumbnail]]
Poppers are a class of chemicals called alkyl nitrites. These are chemical compounds of structure R–ONO. In more formal terms, they are alkyl esters of nitrous acid.
The first few members of the series are volatile liquids; methyl nitrite and ethyl nitrite are gaseous at room temperature and pressure. Organic nitrites are prepared from alcohols and sodium nitrite in sulfuric acid solution. They decompose slowly on standing. The decomposition products are oxides of nitrogen, water and the alcohol as well as polymerization products of the aldehyde.
==Pharmacology==
{{Pharmacology}}
==Subjective effects==
The effects listed below are based upon the [[subjective effects index]] and personal experiences of [[PsychonautWiki]] [[Special:TopUsers|contributors]]. The listed effects will rarely (if ever) occur all at once, but heavier dosages will increase the chances and are more likely to induce a full range of effects.
*'''[[Effect::Vasodilation]]''' - The vasodilation of poppers is intense and sudden. It results in feelings of blood rushing to the brain accompanied by a sensation of heat throughout one's body (but particularly in the face/head region).
*'''[[Effect::Physical euphoria]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Muscle relaxation]]''' - Inhaling nitrites relaxes smooth muscles throughout the body.<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20061111105814/http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Profs/datasheet/a/Amylnitrateinh.htm</ref> This effect facilitates anal intercourse by relaxing the sphincter muscles and poppers are famously used within the LGBT community for this purpose.
*'''[[Effect::Time distortion]]''' - Some users may experience the impression of time slowing down.
*'''[[Effect::Laughter]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Increased libido]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Tactile enhancement]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Disinhibition]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Changes in gravity]]''' - Many users report feelings that they are falling or that the room is spinning.
*'''[[Effect::Headaches]]''' - Users are sometimes left with a headache due to the blood vessel expansion in the brain.<ref>http://www.thesite.org/drink-and-drugs/legal-highs/poppers-9999.html</ref>
==Toxicity and harm potential==
[[File:harmchart.png|thumb|right|300px|Radar plot showing relative physical harm, social harm, and dependence of akyl nitrates<ref>Development of a rational scale to assess the harm of drugs of potential misuse (ScienceDirect) | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673607604644</ref>]]
The 2005 Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy reported that there is little evidence of significant hazard associated with inhalation of alkyl nitrites.<ref>Volatile Nitrites | http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/special_subjects/drug_use_and_dependence/volatile_nitrites.html?qt=&sc=&alt=</ref> A study and ranking of drugs for harmfulness devised by British government advisers and based upon health professionals opinions of harm to both individuals and society placed alkyl nitrites among the less harmful substances when compared to other recreational drugs including [[alcohol]] and [[tobacco]].<ref>Development of a rational scale to assess the harm of drugs of potential misuse (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17382831</ref> The primary risk of popper usage is a chemical burn if spilled on one's skin.
All forms of poppers are highly flammable and should not be used if one is smoking or has candles nearby.
Poppers are a possible and rare cause of concern in a small number of cases of maculopathy (eye damage) in recent case reports from UK and France.<ref>http://www.nature.com/eye/journal/v26/n6/full/eye201237a.html</ref> Some studies have concluded that there may be increased risk for at least temporary retinal damage with habitual popper use in certain users; in a letter to the New England Journal of Medicine, an ophthalmologist described four cases in which recreational users of poppers experienced temporary changes in vision.<ref>Fatal methemoglobinemia resulting from ingestion of isobutyl nitrite, a "room odorizer" widely used for recreational purposes (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7252472</ref> Another study described foveal (daylight vision) damage in six habitual poppers users.<ref>Foveal damage in habitual poppers users (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21320953</ref> In 2014, optometrists and ophthalmologists reported having noticed an increase in vision loss in chronic poppers users in the UK associated with isopropyl nitrite being substituted for isobutyl nitrite in 2006.<ref>More evidence 'poppers' may damage eyesight | http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/07/08/us-proppers-eyesight-idINKBN0FD1ZD20140708</ref><ref>Poppers maculopathy | http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(14)60887-4/abstract</ref>
===Lethal dosage===
The only consistently safe [[routes of administration|route of administration]] used with poppers is inhalation. Oral use of the liquid can prove fatal enough to result in a lethal dosage.<ref>Fatal methemoglobinemia resulting from ingestion of isobutyl nitrite, a "room odorizer" widely used for recreational purposes (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7252472</ref><ref>Radiology of recreational drug abuse (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17620459</ref> It is near impossible to overdose through the conventional use of poppers.
An overdose via ingestion (rather than inhalation) may result in cyanosis, unconsciousness, coma, and even death. Methylene blue is a treatment for methemoglobinemia associated with popper use.<ref>Radiology of recreational drug abuse (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17620459</ref><ref>Methemoglobinemia due to ingestion of isobutyl nitrite ('poppers') (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12510403</ref><ref>Aphrodisiac drug-induced hemolysis (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15362601</ref><ref>Emergency Medicine: Principles and Practice. Harper & Collins, 2nd edition. 2008. pp. 42–51.</ref> Accidental aspiration of amyl or butyl nitrites may lead to the development of lipoid pneumonia.<ref>Radiology of recreational drug abuse (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17620459</ref>
It is strongly recommended that one use [[responsible drug use|harm reduction practices]] when using this drug.
===Tolerance and addiction potential===
There is no real tolerance to be gained through popper use. There does not seem to be any addictive potential.
===Dangerous interactions===
Alkyl nitrites are interactive with other [[vasodilation|vasodilators]] like sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra), and tadalafil (Cialis) to cause a serious decrease in blood pressure, leading to fainting, stroke, or heart attack.<ref>Recreational use of sildenafil by HIV-positive and -negative homosexual/bisexual males (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15113986</ref>
==Legal issues==
*'''Canada:''' The sale of poppers in any formulation has been banned in Canada. Although not considered a narcotic and not illegal to possess or use, they are considered a drug. Sales that are not authorized can now be punished with fines and prison.<ref>http://dailyxtra.com/canada/news/health-canada-cracks-poppers?market=209 | Rob Salerno (Jun 25, 2013). "Health Canada cracks down on poppers". Canada: Pink Triangle Press.</ref>
*'''European Union:''' Since 2007, reformulated poppers containing isopropyl nitrite are sold in Europe; isobutyl nitrite is prohibited as it is considered carcinogenic.<ref>https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/119139/acmdnps2011.pdf | Consideration of the Novel Psychoactive Substances (‘Legal Highs’)". Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. pp. 52–54.</ref>
*'''France:''' In France, the sale of products containing butyl nitrite, pentyl nitrite, or isomers thereof, has been prohibited since 1990 on grounds of danger to consumers.<ref>http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?dateTexte=20090901&cidTexte=JORFTEXT000000166136 | "Decree 90–274 of 26 March 1990" (in French). Legifrance.gouv.fr. 2009-05-15.</ref> In 2007, the government extended this prohibition to all alkyl nitrites that were not authorized for sale as drugs.<ref>http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?dateTexte=20090901&cidTexte=JORFTEXT000000341445 | "Decree 2007-1636 of 20 November 2007" (in French). Legifrance.gouv.fr.</ref>
*'''United Kingdom:''' In the United Kingdom, poppers are sold in gay clubs/bars, sex shops, drug paraphernalia head shops, over the Internet, and in markets. It is illegal under Medicines Act 1968 to sell them advertised for human consumption, and in order to bypass this, they are usually sold as odorizers.
*'''United States of America:''' Poppers containing alkyl nitrites other than amyl nitrite are readily available in the United States. Sometimes they are sold as video head cleaners, polish removers, or room odorizers. They have not regained the popularity they had in the 1970s.
==See also==
*[[Responsible use]]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poppers Poppers (Wikipedia)]
*[[Nitrous oxide]]
*[[Psychoactive substance index]]
*[[Subjective effects index]]
==References==
<references />
[[Category:Psychoactive substance]]
[[Category:Substance]]
[[Category:Stimulant]]
{{#set:Featured=true}}

Revision as of 09:22, 1 August 2016