Are Poppers Bad for you?

[Scott]

I saw this little snippet on Yahoo about Poppers.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/18/lgbt-wellness-jan-16_n_6489484.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592

I know they are illegal in Thailand and thus not commonly used, but are they really dangerous?

I had read that using them with Sildenafil can be quite harmful.

Do we have any members who are knowledgeable about this and can comment?

[geriatrickid]

I'll spare you a lengthy discussion of organic chemistry and why organic chemicals/compounds are best avoided, and will instead approach your question taking into consideration the characteristics of the typical person who is reading this forum.

As you probably know, the product dilates blood vessels and can relax some muscles, including those found in the region of the anus.

While, an intermittent user who is in good shape may be able to shake off the negative impact in a few days, older people typically can not. It's not too popular with the younger gay demographic now, but still is known to those who remember it from its popularity back in the 70's &80's. And therein lies the problem. The people who are most likely to use a product that they had fun with back when they were buff young men are now 20-40 years older. Their circulatory systems are not as robust as they once were. They may have liver or kidney impairments, or blood pressure issues.The last thing these people need is something that will require the liver to work overtime to break the product down or that will impact their blood pressure. If they are on a medication, the product can cause an adverse reaction. I can't drink like I did back in university and I doubt, most older people can either. The same holds for this product. It's just not a product older people should take.

Let me give you an example to illustrate, and it's one that is a mainstay of all pharmacology courses. Some drugs can have a different impact depending upon the age and general health status of the patient. Ritalin is a drug given to kids with ADHD. In kids, it can curb impulses, acting as a "brake", slowing down hyper active kids. The funny thing is that Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant. When post pubescent non ADHD adolescents and adults use the drug, it works differently producing, an amphetamine like outcome. Instead of a calm kid, one gets the yaba man. My point here is that while poppers might be used with minimal side effects when one is 18-35, as one gets older and experiences all the wonderful developments that accompany aging, like needing to pee more often, or blood pressure issues, or circulatory system decline, poppers are more likely to leave an older user with severe headaches, nausea, vomiting or even fainting.

I've left out the documented health issues of chronic use, as I doubt any of your forum readers would be heavy long term users. The risk of cancer associated with all organic compound exposures or eye damage are not significantly higher with infrequent users of this product, so those concerns would not be relevant.

Please note this is my opinion based upon what I was taught. Individual users will have different reactions that can range from no side effects to serious head exploding sensations etc. all depending on their current state of health.

[Scott]

Thanks. It's nice to have a knowledgeable person posting on the subject. Sometimes the health issues are confusing, especially the diet stuff.

[Swampypoom]

I can certainly say it isn't good for you, but if you do decide to try poppers, then by all means I would not mix them with any other drug except for alcohol. Personally, I can say it is a great stimulant for brief moments during sex which is why one would inhale this more than once. You know your body and what it can handle. I'm 35 y/o for the record and still enjoy them on occasion.

[Patsycat]

Even good for a good two minute giggle!! But leave you with a hell of a sore head and a terrible taste in the back of your throat.

[Swampypoom]

Even good for a good two minute giggle!! But leave you with a hell of a sore head and a terrible taste in the back of your throat.

You only inhale it and not drink it which would explain the taste in the back of your throat.

[Patsycat]

I'm sorry but the last time i sniffed anything up my nose it went up through my nose into the part which goes from my nose down the back of my throat. Including poppers.

The bottle was too small to drink. I sniffed it. And got an instant buzz. Us heteros also enjoy it, you know. Apart from the headache.

Edited February 3, 2015 by Patsycat

[AyG]

These things?

Well, I guess if you eat too many of them they make your fat, so that's pretty bad.

[Scott]

Yes, those are the things. Go ahead and sniff those, especially while having sex!

[Anthony5]

Isn't the main substance in poppers the same chemical they use for dry cleaning?

I've used it once in my life, and really not a fan of it.

[robblok]

I'm sorry but the last time i sniffed anything up my nose it went up through my nose into the part which goes from my nose down the back of my throat. Including poppers.

The bottle was too small to drink. I sniffed it. And got an instant buzz. Us heteros also enjoy it, you know. Apart from the headache.

I have had great sexual fun with various drugs in the Netherlands. I would not recommend doing such a thing too much but they can certainly enhance sex. Loved E but without a blue tablet it would leave you in the mood but not functioning at all.

Those where the days.. god I feel old. Never tried poppers though.

[Scott]

I know that I once tried to buy poppers in the US on a visit, but they said Poppers were illegal but they could sell you Video Head Cleaner. I thought that was odd, but it had such interesting names, like "Rush" etc..

[Patsycat]

It was a little brown bottle with a label such as "Rush" on it, a friend once spilt the contents on himself. We ended up sniffing his sweater rapidly because it evaporates quickly.

I stand by my comment that they give you a hell of a headache.

Edited February 7, 2015 by Patsycat

[Fookhaht]

I once spent a night with a friend who pulled out a popper at the outset of our foreplay.

I was highly insulted that my virile presence was not enough to send him into ecstasy without the crutch.

I only date guys whose eyes roll to the back of their heads upon my mere touch.

[where's that rolling eyes emoticon?]

[Anthony5]

Is this just me or am I missing something.

From the forum rules :

3) You will not post about activities or links to websites containing such material that are illegal in Thailand. This includes but is not limited to: gambling, betting, pornography, illegal drugs, fake goods/clothing, file sharing of pirated material, pyramid schemes, etc. Discussion of the above is permitted only as news items, but never as a "how to" topic.

[Fookhaht]

Good point, Anthony.

Actually, it's been a helpful discussion because I did not know poppers were illegal until reading this thread.

It's also been helpful as to the health dangers connected to their use.

However, you're probably correct that we should steer away from the "how to" aspect of their use.

[Scott]

Poppers, or variations of them, are not exactly illegal. They are a controlled substance and are used for people with heart problems. The discussion is about the health aspects of their usage. Not everyone posting in this forum lives in Thailand.

Asking or inquiring about where to get them would be illegal.

The OP links to an an article. It is a news item. There is concern about using poppers and viagra. If you left a country where poppers are legal, then it is appropriate to know how long before it is safe to use something like viagra.

Please note that the first post after the OP replies directly to the health aspects.

[NomadJoe]

Nitrites (poppers, as amyl, butyl, or isobutyl nitrite, sold with street names such as Locker Room and Rush) may be inhaled to enhance sexual pleasure. There is little evidence of significant risk, although nitrites and nitrates cause vasodilation, with brief hypotension, dizziness, and flushing, followed by reflex tachycardia (see Table 8: Symptoms and Treatment of Specific Poisons ). Nitrites may cause methemoglobinemia. However, they are dangerous when combined with drugs used for erectile enhancement; the combination can lead to severe hypotension and death.

http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/special_subjects/drug_use_and_dependence/volatile_nitrites.html?qt=poppers&alt=sh

The 2005 Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy reported that there is little evidence of significant hazard associated with inhalation of alkyl nitrites.^[1] A study and ranking of drugs for harmfulness devised by British-government advisers and based upon health professionals opinions of harm to both individuals and society placed alkyl nitrites among the less harmful substances when compared to other recreational drugs including alcohol and tobacco

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poppers#cite_note-Nutt-2007-10

[Scott]

Post about illegal activity removed.