what are the side effects of using poppers?

Answer 1

Cyclohexyl nitrite, butyl nitrite, isobutyl nitrite, and other light alkyl nitrites can be found as the primary ingredient in so-called 'room odorizers', 'video head cleaners', and 'leather cleaners', despite the malodorous nature of some of these compounds. Traditionally marketed in small glass bottles, they are, like amyl nitrite capsules, referred to as poppers. Nitrite-based odorizers are available in adult bookstores and shops and over the Internet, and are regulated by a variety of federal and local regulations and legal restrictions, though the status of cyclohexyl nitrite — technically not a member of the class of alkyl nitrites encompassed by the law — remains in question in the United States, as a result of the controversial Federal Analog Act. Some manufacturers include qualifying statements on their web sites such as: "All our nitrite based products are sold as room odorants, liquid incense, liquid aromas, or video head cleaner only. Although research indicates it is generally safe to do so, we do not encourage the misuse of our products as poppers. We are not responsible for the media claims that liquid aromas or poppers are said to be aphrodisiacs or sex drugs, and we do not endorse such claims. Our products do not contain amyl nitrite or butyl nitrite. They contain highly pure isobutyl nitrite, alkyl nitrites, cyclohexyl nitrite or hexyl nitrites only." Some web site dealers provide disclaimers on their sites as well.

The alkyl nitrite which has been used medicinally, amyl nitrite, was popularized in Hunter S. Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Other popular nitrites include isopropyl nitrite, isobutyl nitrite, butyl nitrite and cyclohexyl nitrite.

The two main vessels for alkyl nitrites are small glass vials/bottles ("freshness jars"), or small ampules which are popped or snapped in order to release the vapors. The name snappers is sometimes used. The vials are simply uncapped, and the vapours are inhaled or allowed to permeate the room. The ampules contain small amounts of the alkyl nitrite, and are enough for only a few doses; while the vials contain enough of the alkyl nitrite for many more doses.

The possible hazards of nitrite use have been a contentious issue since the mid-1970’s. Over the next decade, however, no allegation would be more hotly debated, or more serious, than that of a possible link between nitrites and AIDS, or AIDS-related illnesses such as Kaposi's sarcoma.

After a 1983 meeting between the Center for Disease Control's principal AIDS investigator, James Curran, and Joseph Miller, the president of Great Lakes Products, Inc. (a then-major manufacturer of popular nitrite brands such as RUSH®, who sought the meeting with Dr. Curran in order to discuss a possible poppers-AIDS connection -- before the HIV virus was discovered), Miller reported in a press release that poppers had been exonerated by the Center for Disease Control. Dr. Curran later pointed out in a September 27, 1983 letter to Miller that he had been misinterpreted in the press release. Curran stated that: “Other health hazards from misuse of these drugs have been documented. Your press release and advertisements in the Advocate are misleading and misrepresent the CDC findings and their implications... While it is unlikely that nitrites will be implicated as the primary cause of AIDS, their role as a co-factor in some of the illnesses found in this syndrome has not been ruled out. I must insist that you discontinue the misuse and misinterpretation of CDC findings.”

Two years later, in 1985, after a demand from Hank Wilson, creator of the 'Committee to Monitor Poppers', that Dr. Curran take an anti-poppers stand, Dr. Curran responded to the one-man committee by telling Wilson that "Current data does not warrant an anti-poppers campaign". -- May 6,1985 letter to the Committee to Monitor Poppers

Upon the discovery of the HIV virus and the definitive research that showed HIV to be the cause of AIDS, poppers were eliminated as the cause of AIDS. However,the possible role of popper use as a risk factor in HIV infection continues to be explored. It is thought by some that even the insignificant immunosuppressive effect of poppers, may increase susceptibility to HIV infection and also HHV-8 infection, or that they may affect sexual behavior increasing risk for infection, though there is little data to support these theories.

It has also been speculated by some that because Kaposi's sarcoma occurred in homosexual AIDS-patients 20 times more often than in non-homosexual AIDS-patients, some cofactor must be involved beyond the virus HIV itself. Poppers were suggested as a candidate for that cofactor, though studies have been contradictory.

The large MACS study in 1987 concluded that no such connection with poppers existed. However, a later 1993 MACS publication PMID 8356966 found nitrite inhalant use a significant risk factor for KS. In 2002, Casper PMID 11920325, found that poppers use was an independent risk factor for HHV-8 seroconversion. In 2000, Pauk et al. PMID 11070101 found amyl nitrite use an independent risk factor for HHV-8 infection.In 2006,Casper et al. found a strong and dose dependent relation between popper use and HHV-8 infection in the EXPLORE study.(Casper et al.,"HIV Serodiscordant sex partners and the prevalence of HHV-8 infection among HIV negative men who have sex with men:Baseline data from the EXPLORE Study." Sexually Transmitted Infections June 1 2006 Vol. 82 Issue 3: 229-235. It is now generally accepted that HHV-8, a member of the herpes family, is a co-factor for or the cause of Kaposi's sarcoma. Research continues to explore risks for the transmission of HHV-8 and the progression to Kaposi's sarcoma. Research findings have been inconsistent, Haverkos and Drotman, PMID 7744258 cite 5 published studies finding a correlation between KS and poppers use and point out that differences in research methodologies may account for some of the discrepancies.

An argument continues today that, there are a number of possible negative health effects caused by poppers. For example, that high doses of Nitrites may cause methemoglobinemia, particularly in individuals predisposed towards such a condition.[2]. However, as the authors point out, it would take 'excessively high doses of poppers, administered chronically', to possibly cause methemogtlobinaemia (and that methemogtlobinaemia is readily reversible with the administration of methylene blue). Or that use with Viagra can cause heart failure (though there is no indication in the literature that such heart failure has ever occurred), and individuals with anaemia or heart, breathing or blood pressure conditions may be at risk of complications[citation needed]. It’s also suggested that since pressure in the eye and cranium is increased, individuals with glaucoma or traumatic head injuries may have an added risk of negative short or long term effects[citation needed].

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, use of poppers is associated with unsafe sexual practices that increase the risk of contracting and spreading infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.[3], though it's notable that nitrites are not alone in being associated with unsafe sexual practices. Included along with nitrite use would be alcohol use, marijuana use, among other drug use, and that use of nitrites may only be a marker for high-risk behavior in general[citation needed].

Impure alkyl nitrites can burn the skin on contact. All alkyl nitrites can be fatal if swallowed or injected. It has also been reported by some users of an association with mild to extreme headaches.

There has also been significant input from researchers and governmental officials in the USA and other countries, that poppers do not pose a significant hazard to users [4]. Some experts, including Thomas P Lowry, MD, went even further. In a research paper published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs; Jan-Jun, 1982; Vol. 14(2): 77-79, Dr. Lowry not only addressed the issue of potential hazards of poppers, but also discussed their use as aphrodisiacs, thereby combining a discussion of effects and sociological aspects.

Over the past quarter century, prominent AIDS researchers and activists, such as Paul Varnell and Bruce Voeller (the scientist who gave AIDS its name) made their concerns known about what they believed to be misrepresentations about poppers.

Answer 2

Poppers Side Effects

Answer 3

The answer provided is very accurate however not to answer to your specific quection. I want to correct it to a medical stand point. The reason amyl nitrates were under attack from the fda is because its violates the prescription drug act. Yes thats right amyl nitrate is consider a chemical prescription we use to make in the pharmacy a piggy back for before surgery that injected into a patient in small dose just like any drug that over the counter illegal or legal. It all related to medical in some way or form saying that. Each medicine has a half life. Side affects and its own chemical make up in organic chemistry. In order to pass the FDA and prescription drug act that defines the diffeence between otc and rx deugs the chemical was tweaked to have a shorter half life same euphoria but very lessser strength no diffrent from neomycin. Yes neomycin is in fact even though its sold as wal mart is a very dangerous antibiotic

Answer 4

RE:
what are the side effects of using poppers?

Answer 5

it's not as damaging to your brain as you'd think. Using them a few times will NOT cause brain damage.

Now ecstasy... that stuff really f*cks up your brain.

Answer 6

Stupidity.

Answer 7

Even after using them a few times it can cause SERIOUS brain damage!!

DO NOT use them!!

Answer 8

I would like to ask the same question as the user above.

Answer 9

#1 Brain damage-irreversable brain damage! Shouldn't that be reason enough not to use them?

Answer 10

Brain damage-irreversable brain damage!

Answer 11

every sniff kills brain cells so the end results your stupid, also they mess with your sex drive making you dependned on them to get a good rush. stop using them before you turn into ax stupid old fart who cant get it up