Poppers are recreational drugs belonging to the alkyl nitrite family of chemical compounds. When fumes from these substances are inhaled , they act as potent vasodilators , producing mild euphoria, warmth, and dizziness.
Most effects have a rapid onset and are short-acting. Reported adverse effects include fainting , retinal toxicity, and vision loss. As poppers include a broad range of chemical types , their legality differs across different jurisdictions. They are often packaged under the guise of room deodorizer, leather polish, nail polish remover, or videotape head cleaner to evade anti-drug laws.
The term poppers stems from the "popping" sound of glass vials containing the substance when crushed to release vapour for inhalation. Amyl nitrite was originally prescribed in the late s for the medical management of angina. These substances are subject to different regulations; for example, isobutyl nitrite is banned in the European Union. Poppers act as muscle relaxants , causing the relaxation of involuntary smooth muscles such as the throat and anus.
Poppers come in liquid form, but this liquid is not directly consumed. When the bottle is opened, the vapors are inhaled, rather than the liquid. This is typically done through the nasal cavities, commonly directly from the bottle avoiding touching the bottle to the skin or with the help of small inhalers. Inhaling nitrites produces a fast-acting, short-lived and non-specific relaxation of smooth muscles along with the sphincter muscles of the anus and the vagina.
With relaxation of the smooth muscles, the 'inward' pressure on the blood vessels decreases and they dilate , resulting in a drop in blood pressure and an immediate compensatory increase in heart rate reflex tachycardia.
