Poppers: History, Uses, and Effects & Side-Effects

WHAT ARE POPPERS ?

Hello and welcome to our comprehensive guide on poppers! If you're unfamiliar with this class of psychoactive drugs, we'll be explaining what they are and diving into the chemistry behind them.
Before we get started lets do a small explaining in what  exaclty are "psychoactive drugs", it sound bad right ? Fear not when we say "psychoactive drugs" we mean a substance that affects how the brain works and causes changes in mood, awareness, thoughts, feelings , some examples of "psychoactive substances" are found in everyday life such as alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, marijuana, and certain pain medicines.


Okay enough time wasting lets get right on it and start with the milion dollar question ... What are Poppers ? 

Poppers are a type of psychoactive substance that is inhaled for its recreational effects, and poppers it the common term used to refer to a range of chemical substances known as alkyl nitrites which produce a variety of physical and mental effects when inhaled or in other words you get "high". These effects are typically short-lived but really intense, making poppers a popular choice in the queer community. 

                                                                                        

 HISTORY OF POPPERS

Let's take a journey back in time to the 'Golden Age' of 1800s , and explore the birth of poppers together.

Today poppers are used and known as to enhance sexaul pleasure or for party - highs. But that wasnt the case in the beginning
You see the use of alkyl nitrites dates back to the late 19th century. In 1844, Antoine Jérôme Balard, a French chemist, first synthesized amyl nitrite, one of the most commonly used alkyl nitrites today. In the late 1800s, amyl nitrite was used as a treatment for chest pain and angina, as it was believed to increase blood flow and oxygen delivery to the heart. ( medication at its finest )

By the early 1900s that changed , amyl nitrite was also being used recreationally as a party drug. It was inhaled from glass ampoules, causing a rush of euphoria, increased sensations of pleasure, and a warm flushing sensation throughout the body. The drug was particularly popular among members of the LGBTQ+ community, who used it to enhance sexual experiences and as a social lubricant.

In the 1960s and 1970s, poppers became even more popular, especially in the gay community, as they were believed to help relax the anal sphincter muscles during sex. However, in the 1980s, the use of poppers became associated with the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, as some individuals would share the drug by inhaling from the same bottle or ampoule.

 THE USE OF POPPERS

Poppers today are primarily used for their psychoactive effects, which include a rush of euphoria, increased sensations of pleasure and arousal, and a warm flushing sensation throughout the body. These effects occur rapidly after inhaling the substance and typically last for several minutes. Many users report that poppers intensify sexual experiences, making them more pleasurable and longer-lasting.

 THE EFFECTS - SIDE EFFECTS OF POPPERS

EFFECTS

  1. Vasodilation with warm sensation
  2. Drop in blood pressure with dizziness
  3. Tachycardia (racing heart)
  4. Relaxation of anal sphincter

SIDE-EFFECT

  1. Skin lesions around nose or lips
  2. Sinusitis and respiratory allergic reactions
  3. Headaches
  4. Increased intraocular pressure