They are sold in small mL bottles that resemble energy shots. Manufacturers market the product as nail polish removers, air fresheners, and cleaning products. Additionally, amyl nitrite is a potent smooth muscle relaxant. This effect is sought after to enhance sexual experiences, as it can relax the muscles of the anus and vagina. The entire experience is brief, lasting only a few minutes from a single inhalation. Amyl nitrate is a chemical compound from the alkyl nitrite class with a dual identity.
- Sudden changes in blood pressure can be harmful to those with heart disease or hypertension.
- Poppers are often used in conjunction with other so-called rave or club drugs, such as 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy), ketamine, 2C-B, and gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB).
- The Medicines Control Agency, which administers the Medicines Act, has concurred with the EU directive, although as of early 2002, there was no move to control or ban poppers.
- A significant danger arises when amyl nitrite is combined with other substances that also affect blood pressure, like erectile dysfunction medications such as sildenafil (Viagra).
- (a) Gray/blue discoloration of the palms after inhalation of poppers.
- Additionally, they can cause skin irritation or rashes if accidentally spilled.
What Happens If You Inhale Comet?
Due to these dangers, isopropyl nitrite was banned in the US and UK, though some underground production still exists. Often, people who are misusing rush poppers are combining them with other substances. Youth who start out experimenting with poppers may go on to misuse alcohol or other substances. Consequently, people who inhale rush poppers may end up huffing more volatile substances to achieve a high.
The effects are felt within 30 seconds of inhalation and last for two to three minutes. For information about other drugs,return to Drug InformationPage. A Guide for worried parents, teenagers who are usingdrugs or thinking about using drugs and anyone who wants to know more aboutthe subject. We’ll see more of these poppers as we enter 2025, but for now, we highly recommend Rush’s Butanol poppers.
Can you use poppers in a healthy way?
Because of this, Amyl should only be used by more experienced users. Amsterdam Poppers do a fantastic range of Propyl poppers in various different shapes and sizes. These poppers have been around for quite some time now, with their plum-coloured bottle becoming a recognised favourite throughout Europe. The Time to Peak speed measures how quickly poppers reach their maximum potency after use. Some poppers have a gradual build-up, while others deliver a near immediate and intense experience. Some people will prefer a gradual, building effect while others enjoy a more rapid approach.
There is also new research that suggests amyl nitrite can interfere with and reduce the effectiveness of HIV medications. Of particular concern are protease inhibitors, such as indinavir (Crixivan), saquinavir mesylate (Invirase), nelfinavir mesylate (Viracept), and ritonavir (Norvir). One problem with long-term inhalant abuse is that it can break down myelin in the body, according to a NIDA report. Myelin is a fatty tissue that surrounds many of the body’s nerve cells called neurons. The nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord are like a “command central” for the body.
Check out our addiction recovery blog to learn more about substance use disorders and how to get effective treatment.
The vast majority of cases do respond well to treatment without any sequel 2. Amyl poppers are typically inhaled through the nose or mouth. Users inhale the vapors released from the small bottle, which is usually placed under the nose or held near the mouth, to experience a brief but intense rush of sensations and relaxation. These drugs are still widely used among gay men.2 One study examined the use of poppers among gay men who experienced childhood sexual abuse. While such drugs as crystal meth, ecstasy and ketamine decreased during the 2000s, the use of poppers and cocaine remained stable among gay men.
What are Alkyl nitrites?
Heart failure and death can occur in people using inhalant substances such as amyl nitrate. “Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome” causes death by suffocation after huffing. SSDS can occur the first time somebody uses inhalants, even if she’s healthy and in perfect physical condition, according to the U.S. In Great Britain, the Medicines Act deems it illegal to sell amyl nitrite without a prescription. However, possession or use without a prescription is not a crime. Most other nitrates sold as poppers have escaped prosecution under the Medicines Act since distributors claimed they were room deodorizers and not marketed as medicine.
Tasting these substances is extremely dangerous, as swallowing them has led to tragic consequences, resulting in loss of life. If you are concerned about using illicit substances, consider contacting a We Level Up treatment center professional or our helpline for guidance and support. It’s worth mentioning that despite their intensity, the euphoric effects of poppers tend to dissipate rapidly, often lasting only a matter of seconds or minutes.
Amyl Nitrite works almost similarly to sensations of extreme alcohol intoxication. While some people find the effects of this drug pleasurable, others find it highly unpleasant and disorienting. These drugs are also vasodilators, meaning they dilate (open) the blood vessels. Therefore, when someone uses this drug, their blood pressure drops rapidly, leading to lightheadedness and sometimes brief loss of consciousness and strength (syncope). At the same time, the heart speeds up, even if the person using these drugs is relaxed, known as tachycardia.
From Amyl to Butyl: Different Types of Poppers
Never put poppers in your mouth to taste or drink the liquid. Use of nitrites should be avoided by people who are anaemic, pregnant women and those with blood pressure problems or a history of cerebral haemorrhaging. The world of poppers offers both allure and cautionary tales. A primary advantage is the heightened sensory perception; colors become more vivid, sounds more resonant, and the overall ambiance takes on an electrifying tone. This sensory amplification can transform ordinary experiences into memorable moments.
This means that while you can find them sold as products like room deodorizers, it’s illegal to use them as a recreational drug. The FDA warns against using poppers due to the health risks they pose. Laws about poppers can vary in other countries, with some places banning them outright. Keep in mind that even if poppers are available for purchase, using them for their intended effects can still be dangerous and illegal. The inhalation of Amyl Nitrite drug can cause dizziness, headaches, and can cause a drop in blood pressure which can lead to fainting, nausea, or vomiting. Additionally, they can cause skin irritation or rashes if accidentally spilled.
- However, how long the effects last depend on how much the person has inhaled.
- But many people get unwanted side effects (such as a headache) after two to four sniffs.
- For example, the throat, lungs, gastrointestinal and reproductive tracts, including the anus and vagina.
Different Popper Types (Amyl, Pentyl…): What’s the difference?
Gooley et al. also describe a case of ventricular fibrillation after the ingestion of an isobutyl nitrite “popper” product 10. However, he was found in cardiac arrest after the inhalation of a bottle of acetone-free nail polish containing isobutyl nitrite, indicating more severe complications of inhaled nitrites. Poppers may appear harmless because they are sold legally and often marketed as air fresheners or cleaning amyl nitrite rush, effects and faqs products. However, despite their legal status, the chemicals inside can pose serious health risks. These inhalants work by dilating blood vessels and relaxing muscles, which can cause sudden drops in blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms, and even loss of consciousness. When combined with other drugs, like erectile dysfunction medications or stimulants, the danger increases substantially.
Has adverse effects with medications
This can happen if a person does not know how to take an inhalant and decides to try it without understanding how it should be taken. It also causes severe irritation and burns the skin and eyes if touched. However, poppers containing the original substance, amyl nitrite, are still found on the black market and in some foreign countries, where they are still allowed to be produced and sold. They are also sold under brand names, Jungle Juice being one of the most common, although many versions have been sold under that name, all of which do not contain amyl nitrite. Amyl nitrite is an inhalant that is a member of the alkyl nitrite family. Although often referred to as amyl nitrate, nitrate is a diesel fuel additive and although their names are similar, they are two separate things, not to be confused.