Poppers (alkyl nitrites)
What are alkyl nitrites/Poppers?
Poppers: the common name for various alkyl nitrites, including isobutyl nitrite, butyl nitrite, and amyl nitrite
- Opens up the blood vessels, causing a rush of blood through the body/brain
- Clear yellow liquid, inhaled from a tissue, sleeve or from the bottle.
- Some users inhale through an unlighted cigarette soaked in the chemical (poppers are highly flammable)
- Poppers are often sold in sex shops, clubs and gay bars as a room odorisor.
- Often used to intensify sexual experiences.
- Increasingly popular in dance culture.
- Product names inlude: Liquid gold, TNT, Buzz, Bolt, Bang, Purple haze, Raye, Kix, Ram, Thrust, and Rock hard.
The law
- Controlled under the Medicines Act.
- Supply can be up to two years imprisonment or fine
History
- The story of poppers dates back to 1859 with the first reported use of alkyl nitrites
Effects
- Brief intense 'head rush' with increased heart rate
- Flushed face and neck
- Feeling that time slows down
- Poppers cause muscles in the anus and vagina to relax, they are often used during sex.
Risks
- Faint and sick feeling, headaches, skin problems
- Very dangerous for people with anaemia, glaucoma, and breathing or heart problems, especially if used with viagra
- Suspected to be immune system suppressors.
- Can burn the skin
- Extreme headache
- Highly flammable
- Can be fatal if swallowed.