Welcome to the world of poppers. Whether you’ve heard the name floating around in queer nightlife or seen those little bottles on a friend’s shelf and thought, “What exactly are those?”, you’ve come to the right place.
Poppers have long been a part of LGBTQ+ culture, especially among gay men, and they’re known for their quick, euphoric rush and relaxing effects. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know—from what they are, how they work, and how to use them safely, to exploring different types, effects, and recommendations for specific experiences.
Want to know more? The History of Poppers might surprise you.
So, let’s dive in.
What Are Poppers?
Poppers are the street name for a group of chemicals called alkyl nitrites, usually amyl nitrite or isopropyl nitrite, which are inhaled for a short-lived, heady effect. They’re typically sold in small bottles and often marketed as "room odorisers" or "leather cleaners".
When inhaled, poppers cause blood vessels to dilate and smooth muscles to relax, leading to a warm, euphoric rush, a head-tingling buzz, and extra ease during intimate moments.
What Do Poppers Do? Effects and Side Effects
Just like any other substance, there are various effects and side effects of poppers, many of these happen almost instantaneously, with the effects producing a rush of warm sensations and feelings of dizziness.
It’s also not uncommon to experience some headaches, although this can depend on the quality of the product. Higher quality products such as Pentyl and DoubleScorpio significantly reduce these.
Perhaps the main reason poppers are used recreationally is due to the feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and an increased sex drive that they give. These effects are caused by poppers being vasodilators; they relax blood vessels in the brain and other parts of the body, causing a drop in blood pressure and increasing blood flow to the brain.
Of course, the other primary reason poppers are used is because they can facilitate anal sex; this is because they help relax the anal muscles.
Effects of Poppers
Vasodilation (widening of blood vessels as a result of the relaxation of the blood vessel’s muscular walls)
- Tachycardia (racing heart, more than 100 times per minute)
- Relaxation of the anal muscle
- Reduced blood pressure levels
- Euphoria and increased sex drive
Side Effects of Poppers
- Headaches
- Increased Intraocular pressure
- Skin lesions around the nose or lips
- Sinusitis
- Nausea
It is important to fully understand the effects and side effects of poppers, particularly their risks when combined with other substances.
First Time Using Poppers?
No stress. If you’re curious but cautious, you’re not alone. Our Beginner's Guide to Poppers covers everything from safe use to what to expect.
Quick Tips:
- Don’t drink them.
- Use in well-ventilated spaces.
- Keep the bottle sealed when not in use.
- Avoid mixing with certain medications like Viagra (learn more in our Safety Tips).
What Kinds of Poppers Are There?
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to poppers. Different blends suit different vibes. For example:
Amyl Nitrite: Strong, long-lasting, great for intense sessions.
Isopropyl Nitrite: More potent but shorter-lasting; a club favourite.
Mixed Formulas: For a balanced hit.
Not sure where to begin? Our Guide to Different Types of Poppers breaks them down clearly.
What are Poppers used for Sexually?
Poppers have been used as a sex aid since the 1970s, due to the effects it has on libido and the relaxation it creates in the anal muscle, which makes it easier for people to engage in sex; this makes it very popular amongst the gay community. Additionally, some users report experiencing stronger erections and more intense orgasms.
Although poppers may make sex more pleasurable, they can also drastically lower inhibition, which can make unsafe sex more likely. It’s always important to stay safe and ensure you are taking the necessary precautions and only take poppers as they are intended.
Want to Bottom Like a Pro?
If you’re a bottom looking to explore poppers, we’ve got you. Head over to our popular piece: Best Poppers for Bottoms for tailored advice.
Addiction
Can you get Addicted to Poppers?
Whilst there is very limited evidence to suggest that poppers are addictive, it’s not uncommon for frequent users to develop a tolerance, which may cause some negative and potentially dangerous side effects.
It’s important to remember that while many people use poppers in fun ways and don’t have any negative issues, poppers aren’t safe for everyone. Poppers have been linked to dangerous side effects in both short and long-term users so you should always take the utmost care and precaution.
For more information on poppers and addiction, please visit Talk to Frank.
Where to Buy Poppers?
If you’re after a wider selection of quality brands at cheaper prices, then buying UK poppers online is the best option.
Two online stores we recommend are:
- Prowler Poppers
- Room Aromas
Best Poppers
As there are so many different brands on the market, knowing which poppers are best can be difficult to figure out. Additionally, every user is also different, which means some may have personal preferences. The only way to find out which brand is actually the best is to test them all yourself and see which one gives you the best experience.
With that being said, simply looking at a few reviews can give you a good indication of which products are the most popular. The quality of the popper is one of the most important things, as this will ensure any side effects are kept to a minimum.
Below we have curated a list of some of our best-selling poppers:
- Rush
- Pentyl
- Liquid Gold
- Jungle Juice
- Double Scorpio
- Prowler Thunderball
- Orignal Amsterdam Gold
The Laws on Poppers
Poppers are legal to sell, but only as products not for human consumption. These products must not be sold to persons under the age of 18.
In fact, the UK government and the Home Office uses the word ‘poppers’ when referring to this type of alkyl nitrite and specifically isopropyl nitrite products as can be seen in a letter wrote to the ACMD confirming that the product is legal in the UK and not to be included in the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016, quote Karen Bradely MP, “Your assessment of the harms of “poppers” including the latest formulation isopropyl nitrite, will no doubt inform the regulatory authorities responsible for the General Products Safety Regulations 2005.”.
We go into more detail here in our Legal Status of Poppers in the UK guide.
Safety Information
Our poppers are aromas or room odourisers only and are not for direct inhalation! This product is sometimes used as a leather cleaner also and in such cases should be used for the treatment of leather products only and end use is as leather cleaner only, not for direct inhalation!
All our poppers style aromas are UK legal Alkyl Nitrites sold in the correct child-proof and tamper-evident bottles. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES.
Contains Alkyl Nitrites Flammable. Do not use near fire or flame Eye irritants. For eye contact flush with water. Harmful if swallowed. If swallowed, drink two glasses of milk or water, induce vomiting, and call a physician. Avoid contact with skin. Do not inhale contents directly from the bottle. This product is classified in accordance with 67/548/EEC
