What You Should Know About Poppers

Legacy Healing Center Blog

The drugs known as poppers are a type of inhalant commonly used recreationally for the fast-acting effects and euphoric sensations. The misuse of this type of inhalant carries significant risks. Legacy Healing Center provides vital education about substances like poppers and offers professional support for people battling substance use disorders.

What Are Poppers?

Poppers are party drugs most commonly used for their relaxing, euphoric effects and heightened sexual pleasure, which has contributed to their popularity in certain social circles. Understanding what poppers are used for sheds light on why they are often misused despite their risks.

What Are Poppers Made Of?

Poppers are made of alkyl nitrites, volatile liquids producing fumes or vapor when inhaled. Variations include amyl nitrites, butyl nitrites, isoamyl nitrites, and isobutyl nitrites.

Amyl nitrite was initially developed in the 19th century for medical purposes, including as a treatment for angina (chest pain), but is now more commonly found in recreational use. Other nitrites, like butyl nitrite and isoamyl nitrite, are typically used in poppers for their more potent, longer-lasting effects.

What do poppers look like?

These inhalants are often marketed as household items like room deodorizers, making them difficult to identify. Their deceptive labeling can lead to unintentional misuse, especially among young people. More specifically according to the FDA, “‘Poppers’ are sold online or at adult novelty stores. They are often marketed as nail polish removers or cleaning products and are packaged in small bottles, ranging from 10 to 40 mL, appearing similar to energy shots.”¹

How Do Poppers Work?

The nitrite compounds in poppers work by dilating blood vessels, thus rapidly increasing blood flow and causing intense euphoria or a “rush” when inhaled. These effects are short-lived, lasting just a few minutes, which can lead some users to overuse them to prolong the high.

Immediate effects of poppers include:

Rapid relaxation of smooth muscles
Short-term euphoria
Lightheadedness or dizziness, often accompanied by a feeling of warmth or a “head rush”
Increased heart rate and flushed skin due to the widening of the blood vessels
Sensitivity to touch

The Dangers of Poppers

Poppers are far from harmless. While their effects may seem fleeting, their health risks are significant. After the immediate head rush and euphoria, potential adverse effects include:

Dizziness or Fainting: Because poppers cause blood vessels to dilate rapidly, they can lead to a drop in blood pressure, sometimes causing dizziness, fainting, or lightheadedness. If used in excess, this effect can be dangerous.
Headaches: Some users report headaches or migraine-like symptoms after the effects wear off.
Nausea and Vomiting: Excessive inhalation of poppers can lead to nausea or a feeling of sickness.
Irritation of Airways: Direct inhalation of poppers can irritate the nose, throat, and lungs, causing coughing, sneezing, or a burning sensation.
Shortness of Breath: In rare cases, overuse of poppers may lead to difficulty breathing or a feeling of tightness in the chest.

Long-Term Effects with Chronic Use of Poppers

Tolerance: Over time, individuals who use poppers regularly may develop a tolerance, meaning they need higher doses to achieve the same effects.
Respiratory Problems: Chronic inhalation of poppers can contribute to long-term damage to the respiratory system, including lung damage or difficulty breathing.
Damage to Blood Vessels: Long-term use could cause harm to blood vessels, as the widening of blood vessels, or the vasodilation effect, may lead to cardiovascular problems.
Vision Problems: Evidence suggests that long-term or heavy use of poppers can lead to vision problems, including damage to the retina (although this is rare).

Additional Risks

Interaction with Other Drugs: Using poppers in combination with other substances, especially erectile dysfunction medications (like Viagra or Cialis), can be dangerous. Both poppers and ED drugs cause blood vessels to dilate, which can lead to dangerously low blood pressure, fainting, or even heart attack.
Risk of Accidental Ingestion: If poppers are accidentally ingested or spilled on the skin, they can cause burns, poisoning, or severe irritation.
Methemoglobinemia: In very rare cases, inhaling poppers can cause methemoglobinemia, a condition where the blood cannot carry oxygen effectively. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.

The professionals at Legacy Healing Center understand the complexities of substance misuse. Our addiction treatment programs address the underlying factors contributing to substance abuse and provide a path to recovery.

How Long Do Poppers Stay in Your System?

As alkyl nitrites, poppers are quickly metabolized by the body; their effects typically last only a few minutes. In terms of how long they stay in the system, most of the substance is eliminated within 1 to 2 hours as the body processes and excretes the chemicals through urine. However, the exact duration can vary depending on factors like the individual’s metabolism, how much was inhaled, and whether other substances were involved.

Poppers are not commonly included in standard 5- or 10-panel drug tests, but their impact on your body can linger. Repeated use may lead to health complications such as damage to the blood vessels, headaches, and even toxicity in severe cases.

The Legal Status of Poppers

Poppers are legally sold in many states when marketed as non-consumable products, such as deodorizers or cleaning solutions. However, using poppers for recreational inhalation is technically illegal under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which prohibits the sale of substances intended for human consumption without proper approval. Despite this, enforcement of the law is usually minimal unless the product is specifically advertised for human use.²

How Legacy Healing Center Can Help

If you or a loved one is struggling with substance misuse, Legacy Healing Center is here to help. Our facilities are equipped to provide personalized care for people struggling with substance abuse. We offer a comprehensive recovery approach, focusing on physical and mental health.

With locations in Los Angeles, Cincinnati, Parsippany, Cherry Hill, Fort Lauderdale, and Margate, Legacy Healing Center is accessible to people nationwide. Our compassionate team is dedicated to guiding you or your loved one toward lasting recovery.

Take the First Step Toward Recovery

At Legacy Healing Center, education is a powerful tool in combating substance misuse. If you want to learn more about poppers or other substances, contact us today. Check out our healing blog for more information and resources to help you understand substance use and recovery. Let us support you on your journey to a healthier, addiction-free life.

Sources

Program HF. FDA advises consumers not to purchase or use nitrite “poppers.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed January 3, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-advises-consumers-not-purchase-or-use-nitrite-poppers.
Commissioner O of the. Ingesting, inhaling nitrite “poppers” can cause severe injury or death. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. August 15, 2021. Accessed January 3, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/ingesting-or-inhaling-nitrite-poppers-can-cause-severe-injury-or-death.