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Amyl nitrite is controlled under the Medicines Act, and although possession is legal, supply may be an offence.<ref name="Frank"/><ref name="TheSite"/> Other nitrites are readily available in consumer products such as room odorants and leather cleaner, and numerous shops, particularly sex shops, clubs, and shops selling drug paraphernalia, sell them as "room aromas" or similar.<ref name="Frank"/><ref name="TheSite"/> However, a recent [[European Union]] directive, as well as a decision made by the [[Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency]] means that any product on sale with a [[psychoactive]] effect could be classed as a medicine regardless of how it is marketed, and so controlled under the Medicines Act.<ref name="Drugscope"/>
Amyl nitrite is controlled under the Medicines Act, and although possession is legal, supply may be an offence.<ref name="Frank"/><ref name="TheSite"/> Other nitrites are readily available in consumer products such as room odorants and leather cleaner, and numerous shops, particularly sex shops, clubs, and shops selling drug paraphernalia, sell them as "room aromas" or similar.<ref name="Frank"/><ref name="TheSite"/> However, a recent [[European Union]] directive, as well as a decision made by the [[Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency]] means that any product on sale with a [[psychoactive]] effect could be classed as a medicine regardless of how it is marketed, and so controlled under the Medicines Act.<ref name="Drugscope"/>

The [http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/legResults.aspx?LegType=All+Legislation&title=dangerous&Year=2006&searchEnacted=0&extentMatchOnly=0&confersPower=0&blanketAmendment=0&TYPE=QS&NavFrom=0&activeTextDocId=2940229&PageNumber=1&SortAlpha=0 Dangerous Substances and Preparations (Safety) Regulations 2006 (No. 2916)] classify Isobutyl Nitrite as a class 2 carcinogen and effectively prohibit supply by retail sale.


Prices are commonly in the range of £2–5 [[GBP]].<ref name="Frank"/>
Prices are commonly in the range of £2–5 [[GBP]].<ref name="Frank"/>

Revision as of 21:32, 20 June 2007

File:Diffbrandssizespoppers.jpg
Variety of popper brands and bottle sizes

Poppers is the street term for various alkyl nitrites taken for recreational purposes through direct inhalation, particularly amyl nitrite, butyl nitrite and isobutyl nitrite.[1][2] Amyl nitrite has a centuries-long history of use in treating angina,[3] as well as an antidote to cyanide poisoning.[4][5] Amyl nitrite and several other alkyl nitrites which are used in over-the-counter products, such as room odorizers and video head cleaners, may be inhaled to enhance sexual pleasure.[6] Use is particularly prominent among gay urban men.[6] These products have long been part of the club culture from the 1970s disco scene to the 1980s and 1990s rave scene.[7]

Effects

Inhaling nitrites relaxes smooth muscles throughout the body, including the sphincter muscles of the anus and the vagina.[5] This causes the blood vessels to dilate (which causes a sudden drop in blood pressure), increases heart rate, and produces a sensation of heat and excitement that usually lasts for a couple of minutes.[8]

Alkyl nitrites are often used to enhance a sexual experience.[6] The head rush, euphoria, and other sensations that result from the blood pressure drop are often felt to increase sexual arousal and desire.[6] At the same time, the relaxation of the sphincters of the anus and vagina can make penetration easier.[9] It is widely reported that poppers can enhance and prolong orgasms.[1]

While anecdotal evidence reveals that both men and women can find the experience of using poppers pleasurable, this experience is not universal[10]. Some men report that a reduction in erection stiffness can interfere with sexual performance.[1]

Users

File:Passionatpalazoad Page 1ad.jpg
Penthouse Magazine Advertisement circa 1980

TIME Magazine and The Wall Street Journal reported that the popper fad began among homosexuals as a way to enhance sexual pleasure, but "quickly spread to avant-garde heterosexuals" as a result of aggressive marketing. A series of interviews conducted in the late '70s with construction workers, a "trendy East Side NYC couple" at a "chic NYC nightclub", a Los Angeles businesswoman "in the middle of a particularly hectic public-relations job" (who confided to the reporter that "I could really use a popper now."), along with the observation of frenetic disco dancers amid "flashing strobe lights and the pulsating beat of music in discos across the country", demonstrated a wide spectrum of users.[11][12]

User surveys are hard to come by but a 1988 study found that 69% of men who had sex with men in the Baltimore/Washington DC area reported they had ever used poppers, with 21% having done so in the prior year. The survey also found that 11% of recreational drug users in the area reported using poppers, increasing to 22% among "heavy abusers", with an average age of first use of 25.6 years old. Both survey groups used poppers to "get high", but the men who had sex with men were more likely to use them during sex. It was reported that this group reduced usage following the AIDS epidemic, while the drug-users had not.[13]

Use by minors is historically minimal due, in part, to the ban on sales to minors by major manufacturers for public relations reasons and because some jurisdictions regulate sales to minors by statute.[14]A paper published in 2005 examined use of poppers self-reported by adolescents aged 12-17 in the (American) 2000 and 2001 National Household Surveys on Drug Abuse. 1.5% reported having used poppers; 1.8% of those over 14. Living in nonmetropolitan areas, having used mental health services in the past year (for purposes unconnected with substance use treatment), the presence of delinquent behaviours, past year alcohol and drug abuse and dependence, and multi-drug use were all associated with reporting the use of poppers.[15] In contrast to these low rates, a survey in the North West of England found a rate of 20% self-reported use of poppers among 16 year olds.[7]

Street names

File:Amylboxbottlespoppers.jpg
AMYL NITRITE (Burroughs Wellcome), RUSH®, LOCKER ROOM® circa 1976

Amyl Nitrite, manufactured by Burroughs Wellcome (Now GlaxoSmithKline) and Eli Lilly and Company, was originally sold in small glass ampules that were crushed to release their vapors, and received the name "poppers" as a result of the popping sound made by crushing the ampule.[16] Today, generic-like street names include 'poppers', RUSH®,[2][6][17] Locker Room®,[2][6] Snappers,[2][18] and Liquid Gold®.[1][2] Many brand names exist and are in use in different localities.

Availability & legality

United States

Several alkyl nitrite compounds can be used as poppers and most are found in a variety of consumer products which are regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.[3][19]

  • Amyl nitrite was originally marketed as a prescription drug in 1937, and remained so until 1960, when the Food and Drug Administration removed the prescription requirement. This requirement was reinstated in 1969[3]after observation of an increase in recreational use.
  • Other Alkyl nitrites used in room deodorizer products were outlawed in the USA by Congress in 1989. The law includes an exception for commercial purposes. The term commercial purpose is defined to mean any commercial purpose other than for the production of consumer products containing volatile alkyl nitrites meant for inhaling or otherwise introducing volatile alkyl nitrites into the human body for euphoric’or physical effects [20]. The law came into effect in 1990. [21]Manufacturers reformulated their products to abide by the law, and today nitrite based products are sold as video head cleaner, polish remover or room odorants.[3]

United Kingdom

Amyl nitrite is controlled under the Medicines Act, and although possession is legal, supply may be an offence.[1][2] Other nitrites are readily available in consumer products such as room odorants and leather cleaner, and numerous shops, particularly sex shops, clubs, and shops selling drug paraphernalia, sell them as "room aromas" or similar.[1][2] However, a recent European Union directive, as well as a decision made by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency means that any product on sale with a psychoactive effect could be classed as a medicine regardless of how it is marketed, and so controlled under the Medicines Act.[7]

The Dangerous Substances and Preparations (Safety) Regulations 2006 (No. 2916) classify Isobutyl Nitrite as a class 2 carcinogen and effectively prohibit supply by retail sale.

Prices are commonly in the range of £2–5 GBP.[1]

Health Issues

File:BBC Health Poppers.jpg
Screenshot from London's BBC.CO.UK Radio One with health information about poppers

There is little evidence of significant hazard associated with inhalation of alkyl nitrites.[6]

High doses of nitrites may cause the rare methemoglobinemia, especially in individuals predisposed towards such a condition.[5][22] It is suggested that taking Viagra with nitrites could cause a serious decrease in blood pressure, leading to fainting, stroke, or even heart attack.[23][24] As poppers increase pressure within the eyeball, users with glaucoma take additional risks when using poppers.[22][25]

There has also been a suggestion that poppers may weaken the immune system, however any damage is undone within a few days of halting use.[26] Other risks include rashes around the mouth and nose, burns if spilt on skin, loss of consciousness, and headaches.[1][27]

Suggestions of a link between poppers and either AIDS, HIV infection or an AIDS-related cancer called Kaposi's Sarcoma have been made and are a subject of on-going debate. Several researchers have demonstrated a statistical correlation between popper use and Kaposi's. However the most recently published peer-reviewed English-language overview of research on the health risks of poppers notes a lack of controlled trials. The correlation might therefore be accounted for by a bias among some popper users towards high risk sexual behaviours. [28] A 1992 article in The Lancet draws exactly that conclusion in a finding that the practice of insertive rimming explained excess rates of Kaposi's sarcoma.[29] However, some researchers are looking for causal mechanisms to explain the correlation.[30] In a 1986-1988 series of study reviews and technical workshops with leading authorities, mandated by the US Congress, it was concluded that nitrites are not a causal factor in AIDS infection or Kaposi's sarcoma.[31] A study that followed 715 gay men for eight and a half years published in the Lancet in 1993 rejected any causal relationship between AIDS and poppers, but noted a correlation between HIV infection and poppers. Anal sex was also correlated.[32] The research on HIV links has lead some authorities toward caution and there have been calls for health warnings at point of sale.[33]

Chemistry

File:Chemicalpropsnitrites.jpg
Physical & Chemical Properties (Sutton, 1963)
Main article: Alkyl nitrites

Poppers are a class of chemicals called alkyl nitrites. These are chemical compounds of structure R-ONO. More formally, they are alkyl esters of nitrous acid.

The first few members of the series are volatile liquids; methyl nitrite and ethyl nitrite are gaseous at room temperature and pressure.

Organic nitrites are prepared from alcohols and sodium nitrite in sulfuric acid solution. They decompose slowly on standing, the decomposition products being oxides of nitrogen, water, the alcohol, and polymerization products of the aldehyde.

Trivia

Amyl nitrite was popularized in Hunter S. Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and in Radley Metzger's 1972 cult classic film Score. In the film, a bisexual woman glides them under the nose of a heterosexual woman in an attempt to seduce her.

According to the DVD Commentary, in John Waters film Pink Flamingos, Divine sniffs amyl nitrite (which was real) during the party scene. He starts laughing visibly after the effects kick in.

Amyl nitrite is also mentioned in Hannibal, the sequel to The Silence Of The Lambs, and by Chloe in Fight Club.

The title of the song Animal Nitrate by Suede is a reference to amyl nitrite.

In the popular US series Queer As Folk amyl nitrite is constantly referred to throughout.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Poppers". Frank. Retrieved 2007-03-14.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Poppers: The effects, the risks, the law". TheSite.org. YouthNet UK. Retrieved 2007-03-14.
  3. ^ a b c d Galson, Steven K. (2006-01-10). "Letter to Gerald Austen Re Docket No. 2004P-0411/CP1" (PDF). Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved 2007-04-29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ "Cyanide Poisoning; Antidotal therapy: Amyl Nitrite." Manbir Online 'Diseases & Conditions. Manbir Online. 17 Jun 2007[1]
  5. ^ a b c "Amyl Nitrite". Medsafe. New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority. 2000-05-18. Retrieved 2007-03-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Porter, Robert S.; et al., eds. (2005). "Volatile Nitrites". The Merck Manual Online. Merck & Co. Retrieved 2007-03-16. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |editor= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  7. ^ a b c "Nitrites". Drugscope. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
  8. ^ "Amyl Nitrate". Addiction Recovery and Rehab Terminiology Reference: Drug and Alcohol Dictionary. California Rehab Guide. Retrieved 2007-03-18.
  9. ^ "Reds Room Odouriser". Ann Summers. Retrieved 2007-03-15.
  10. ^ E.M. Brecher, while stating that he personally found amyl nitrite sexually unrewarding, quoted a lady friend as follows: "For me, an orgasm is like a hippopotamus. But with amyl nitrite, it is like a whole herd of hippopotami." E. M. Brecher and the Editors of Consumer Reports, Licit and Illicit Drugs (Little) 1972
  11. ^ Sansweet, Stephen J. (1977-10-10). "A New Way to Glow And Giggle, and Get A Headache Besides" (Reprint). The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2007-04-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ "Rushing to a New High". Time. 1978-07-17. Retrieved 2007-04-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ W.R. Lange, C.A. Haertzen and J.E. Hickey et al., Nitrite inhalants patterns of abuse in Baltimore and Washington, DC, Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse 14 (1988), pp. 29–39.
  14. ^ Nickerson, Mark, John Parker, Thomas Lowry, and Edward Swenson.Isobutyl Nitrite and Related Compounds; chapter on "Sociology and Behavioral Effects" . 1st ed. San Francisco: Pharmex, Ltd, 1979. [2]
  15. ^ Ringwalt CL, Schlenger WE. Wu L (2005) "Use of nitrite inhalants ("poppers") among American youth",Journal of Adolescent Health 37 (1) Jul 2005, pp.52-60.
  16. ^ "Poppers". homohealth.org. Lifelong AIDS Alliance. Retrieved 2007-03-18.
  17. ^ "Essential Facts". iabuse.org. Inhalant Abuse Action Group. Retrieved 2007-03-15.
  18. ^ "Inhalants". National Institute on Drug Abuse. Retrieved 2007-03-15.
  19. ^ "U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Compliance Bans of Butyl Nitrite and Volatile Alkyl Nitrite" (PDF). Consumer Product Safety Commission. 2002. Retrieved 2007-03-29. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  20. ^ Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 (Public Law 1QO-690,section 2404) (15 U.S.C. 2d57a[e)(2)).
  21. ^ "Great Lakes Products Inc. Pays To Settle Civil Penalty Case" (html). Consumer Product Safety Commission. 1994. Retrieved 2007-06-18. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  22. ^ a b Horwath, Ewald (2004-05-19). "Chemical addictions and their effect on someone with HIV". The Body. Retrieved 2007-03-19. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ "Viagra May Cause Heart Attack Deaths In Younger Men With No Heart Problems, Study Finds". PSA Rising. Retrieved 2007-03-15.
  24. ^ "Experts See Dangerous Trend In Use Of Viagra With 'Party Pills'". Aetna InteliHealth. 2004-06-24. Retrieved 2007-03-18. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  25. ^ "Amyl Nitrate [sic]". Drug Factfile. Watton on the Web. Retrieved 2007-04-30.
  26. ^ Sheppard, Simon. "Speaking of Poppers". Sex Talk. Gay.com. pp. p. 2. Retrieved 2007-03-16. There is evidence that using poppers does lower immune function, though the damage is undone in at most a few days. {{cite web}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
  27. ^ Wood, Ronald W. (1989). The Acute Toxicity of Nitrite Inhalants (PDF). National Institute on Drug Abuse. pp. pp. 28-29. Retrieved 2007-03-15. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
  28. ^ Romanelli F, Smith KM, Thornton, AC & Pomeroy C (2004) "Poppers: epidemiology and clinical management of inhaled nitrite abuse", Pharmacotherapy 2004 Jan; Vol. 24 (1), pp. 69-78.
  29. ^ Beral V, Bull D, Darby S, Weller I, Carne C, Beecham M & Jaffe H (1992) "Risk of Kaposi's sarcoma and sexual practices associated with faecal contact in homosexual or bisexual mens with AIDS", The Lancet (March 14, 1992) Vol. 339 (8794) pp. 632-5.
  30. ^ Drumright L, Patterson T, Strathdee S, "Club Drugs as Causal Risk Factors for HIV Acquisition Among Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Review" Substance Use & Misuse Vol. 41,(10-12) 2006 , pp. 1551-1601.
  31. ^ Kennedy, Edward, U.S. Senate, Chair Committee on Labor and Human Resources. "REPORT of the Committee on Labor and Human Resources."Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Amendments of 1988. Section 4015. 1988.
  32. ^ Schechter MT, Craib KJP, Gelmon KA, Montaner JSG, Le TN & O'Shaughnessy MV (1993) "HIV-1 and the aetiology of AIDS", The Lancet (March 13, 1993) vol (8846) pp. 658-9.
  33. ^ Heredia, Christopher (2001-10-25). ""Poppers' link to HIV prompts call for warnings in S.F." San Fransisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2007-06-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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