Poppers have been a go-to party staple for decades, giving users a quick head rush and a momentary feeling of euphoria. But while they’re often seen as a harmless way to enhance the night, it’s important to understand what poppers do to your body—and what happens when you mix them with other substances like alcohol, Viagra, or recreational drugs. Let’s break it all down.
What Are the Side Effects of Poppers?
Poppers work by dilating blood vessels, which increases blood flow and drops blood pressure rapidly. This can feel great in the moment, but it also comes with some side effects.
- Dizziness and Light-Headedness – That rush you feel? It’s actually a sudden drop in blood pressure, which can make you feel lightheaded or even cause you to faint if you’re standing up too quickly.
- Headaches – A common complaint after using poppers is a pounding headache, especially if you use them frequently. Not all poppers are the same so if you experience headaches you may want to try some different ones, take a look at our article on how different poppers vary in their effects for more information.
- Nausea – The intense rush can sometimes be overwhelming, leading to feelings of nausea or queasiness.
- Skin Irritation – If poppers come into direct contact with your skin, they can cause burns or irritation, especially around the nose and mouth. A popper topper can help to reduce the risk of skin contact.
- Shortness of Breath – Some people experience temporary difficulty breathing after inhaling poppers, particularly if they have respiratory issues.
- Blue Lips or Fingernails (Rare but Serious) – In extreme cases, poppers can interfere with oxygen levels in your blood, causing a condition known as methemoglobinemia, which makes lips and fingertips turn blue. This is rare but can be dangerous.
What Happens When You Mix Poppers with Alcohol?
A lot of people mix poppers with alcohol without thinking twice about it, but this combination can be risky. Since both poppers and alcohol lower blood pressure, using them together can intensify dizziness, nausea, and the risk of fainting. If you’re drinking heavily and using poppers at the same time, you might find yourself suddenly feeling weak, woozy, or even passing out. Not exactly the fun party vibe you were aiming for!
Mixing Poppers with Viagra
One of the most well-known dangers of poppers is combining them with Viagra or other erectile dysfunction medications. Both substances dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure; when taken together, the effect can be extreme. In the worst-case scenario, this can lead to a dangerous drop in blood pressure that causes fainting, stroke, or even heart failure. If you’re taking Viagra, it’s best to steer clear of poppers altogether.
Mixing Poppers with Other Recreational Drugs
Pairing poppers with stimulants like cocaine or ecstasy can be unpredictable. While stimulants speed up your heart rate, poppers drop your blood pressure, meaning your body gets mixed signals. This can increase the risk of heart palpitations, fainting, or putting unnecessary strain on your cardiovascular system.
Mixing poppers with depressants like GHB or ketamine is another risky move. Since both depressants and poppers lower blood pressure, you could experience dizziness, confusion, or an increased risk of overdose. GHB, in particular, is a powerful central nervous system depressant that can cause sedation, unconsciousness, and, in high doses, dangerous breathing problems. When combined with poppers, the risk of passing out or experiencing severe respiratory issues increases significantly.
Disclosure: This article is for informational purposes only, if you are experiencing side effects, seek medical advice. Our poppers are aromas or room odourisers only and are not for direct inhalation! ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES.
