A liquid chemical sold in a small bottle, usually sniffed
Also called:
- Amyls
- Liquid Gold
- Poppers
- TNT
Quick info
How the drug works varies from person to person
- How you might feel
- Euphoric, aroused, rush of blood to the head (head rush) and/or sick, faint, reduced co-ordination.
- Read moreabout how it feels
- Effects on your body
- Increased blood flow to different parts of the body. Can cause nosebleeds, headaches or chest pains.
- Read moreabout effects on your body
- How long it takes to work
- Immediately.
- Read moreabout how long it takes to work
- How long the effects last
- The headrush lasts for a few minutes then gets less. You might feel dizzy or sick for a while afterwards.
- Read moreabout how long the effects last
- Common risks
- Swallowing poppers can be fatal. Sniffing poppers is bad for anyone with heart problems because it can cause irregular or fast heart rhythms. Repeated use can damage your eyesight.
- Read moreabout the risks
- Mixing drugs
- Mixing drugs is always risky but some mixtures are more dangerous than others.
- Read moreabout mixing with other drugs
What does it look like?
Poppers are a liquid chemical (alkyl nitrites), sold in small bottles with brand names like Liquid Gold and Bang Aroma.
Nitrates were once used to treat angina (chest pains) and came in small glass capsules that were popped open and sniffed, hence the name poppers.
They are often sold as ‘room aromas’, ‘deodorisers’ and ‘leather cleaners’, but they’re not actually used in this way. They can be found in sex shops, clubs, market stalls and online.
What does it taste/smell like?
Poppers have a very strong solvent smell. You shouldn’t taste poppers, swallowing them is very dangerous.
People have died from drinking poppers.
People sniff poppers, either straight from the bottle or from something absorbent like a cloth or the end of an unlit cigarette.
How does it make you feel?
Sniffing poppers increases blood flow to the body giving some users:
- a head-rush that lasts for a couple of minutes
- a sense of euphoria
- increased sex drive and skin sensitivity
It can also leave you:
- feeling sick and faint
- uncoordinated
- with a nosebleed
- with a headache
- with chest pains
Because poppers increases blood flow and can relax the walls of the anus and vagin*, some people take it while they’re having sex.
Some people say that poppers also makes their erections stronger, and their org*sms more intense. But for some men it’s the opposite, and they have trouble getting an erection after sniffing them.
How long the effects last and the drug stays in your system depends on how much you’ve taken, your size and what other drugs you may have also taken.
Although the high from poppers is over in a few minutes, you may feel dizzy or sick after taking them – and you may get a headache.
Physical health risks
- Swallowing poppers can be fatal.
- Sniffing poppers is potentially dangerous for anyone with heart problems, anaemia or glaucoma (an eye disease).
- Sniffing poppers can make your blood pressure drop. You shouldn’t take them if you have problems with your blood pressure, are on any blood pressure medication, or if you're taking erectile dysfunction medication such as Viagra.
- Fatal ‘sudden sniffing death syndrome’ has been reported due to development of an abnormal heart rhythm when taking poppers.
- Users can also die from injury to red blood cells and reduced oxygen supply to vital organs, but this is very rare.
- Poppers may lead to you losing consciousness and choking on your vomit. Using poppers with alcohol can increase this risk.
- If you use poppers while you’re having sex, be aware that you may feel less inhibited and take risks – such as not using a condom. Because of this, poppers have been linked to people catching sexually transmitted diseases and injuring themselves during sex.
- Poppers are highly flammable and can cause chemical burns on the skin, leading to rashes around the nose and mouth.
- Poppers can cause nausea, headache, and disorientation.
- In recent years, there have been reports of people experiencing temporary and permanent loss of vision after using poppers. If you are experience problems with your eyesight after using poppers we strongly advise you get medical advice.
Is it dangerous to mix with other drugs?
Mixing drugs is always risky but some mixtures are more dangerous than others.
What happens if I mix Amyl nitrate and
Can you get addicted?
There’s no evidence to suggest that poppers are physically or psychologically addictive.
But there is evidence to suggest that heavy users might develop a tolerance to the drug, and need to increase their use to get the same high.
Class: The Medicines Act
Additional law details
Poppers are legal to sell, but only as products not for human consumption. For this reason they are often sold as a ‘room odouriser’ and ‘leather cleaner’.
They are regulated under the Medicines Act 1968 and there have been cases where the Medicines Act was used to fine shopkeepers for selling poppers. Poppers are also covered by general consumer protection legislation.
Possession is not illegal but supply can be an offence.
Poppers are not covered by the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016.
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