Poppers and Sex: Understanding Use, Risks, and LGBTQ+ Sexual Health

For many of us, sex is a huge part of our lives, and for some, poppers have become a part of that experience. Those small bottles with clear liquid have been around for decades, a familiar presence in the LGBTQ+ community, used to enhance pleasure and relax the muscles. But while poppers might seem harmless, they can be pretty addictive – and that’s where things can get complicated. Whether you’re someone who’s tried them before or just curious about what they’re all about, it’s worth taking a closer look at how poppers can impact our sex lives and our health.

What Are Poppers Drugs?

Poppers are inhalant drugs that are commonly bought and sold for recreational use at parties. People use them because they cause a euphoric high that enhances pleasurable experiences, including sex. Additionally, some individuals use them after taking other recreational drugs like MDMA or cocaine to prevent the crash or low feeling as the effects from those substances wear off.

Poppers are made from a class of drugs called alkyl nitrites. Specifically, poppers are most commonly made from the prescription medication amyl nitrite, which is used to treat angina (chest pain). They typically come in small, amber-colored bottles, and the liquid inside is inhaled directly. Because they are usually labeled as “room deodorizers” or “leather cleaners” to circumvent drug regulations, poppers are often legally sold in adult shops, certain convenience stores and online, though their legality varies by country.

While these drugs have medical uses, inhaling them and misusing them recreationally can be very dangerous and cause negative side effects, including difficulty breathing, severe drops in blood pressure, and seizures. 

Poppers, Sex And The LGBTQ+ 

Poppers’ use for sex has been common within the LGBTQ+ community, particularly among gay and bisexual people. This is especially true in clubs, at house parties and at on-site sex venues, where drugs and sex have gone hand in hand.  With the arrival of dating apps like Grindr, access to drugs and sex has become easier than ever before.  While ease of access is partially responsible for the explosion of addiction to poppers amongst LGBTQ+ people, it is more complex than that. For many, popper is the solution to some of the struggles they face. Some gay and bisexual individuals may feel intense pressure to be hot, party and have lots of sex. By taking poppers, they feel more attractive, more sexually desirable and better able to participate in activities within the LGBTQ+ community. For gay and bisexual people who have internalized homophobia or who feel shame about their sexual desires, poppers offer a temporary escape and a doorway to their wildest fantasies. 

Why Do People Use Poppers For Sex?

With so many risks attached to using drugs for sex, one may ask why LGBTQ people especially gay and bisexual people engage in this type of behavior. There are a couple of reasons for this.

First, using substances like poppers during sex numbs uncomfortable emotions regarding gay sex such as shame, embarrassment, and internalized homophobia. As long as the substance numbs the person’s emotions, they’re able to enjoy sex without feeling guilty.

Second, poppers heighten confidence and sexual desire. For some gay men, this results in ‘better’ sex. This happens because the intensity of drugs and sex together hijack the brain’s reward circuitry and provide people with a better sexual experience.

Lastly, those who regularly use poppers for sex can quickly become dependent on them. Having sex without drugs no longer provides the same rewards because the brain is hijacked, so more drugs are needed to get the same effect. Tolerance also results in escalated drug use, the need for more sexual encounters, and possible sexual dysfunction.

Could You Be Struggling With A Popper Addiction?

When an individual has an addiction, they’re likely to notice changes in their sexual desires and behaviors. This is why it’s common for some people to keep combining poppers with sexual activities. While this doesn’t typically happen right away, it can happen as they use the substance more and have a desire to escalate their sexual patterns. Here are some signs that a person may have an addiction to popper:

• Do they take poppers to prolong sexual activity?
• Do they use drugs to lower their inhibitions?
• Are they interested in taking more poppers to reach a high level of sexual arousal?
• How many sexual partners does the person have? Are they in a monogamous relationship, or do they have multiple partners?
• Does the individual crave more extreme forms of sex?
• When they have sex, do they find themselves engaging in high-risk behaviors like not using protection?

Why Is It Dangerous?

In the short term, people who use poppers for sex feel invulnerable to harm or risk. This results in more risk-taking behaviors like engaging in condomless sex or sharing needles. Both of these behaviors put the individuals at a greater risk of HIV, Hepatitis C, and STDs. Indeed, the growing popularity of using drugs for sex in parties including poppers is one of the reasons behind the increase in new HIV diagnoses despite years of public health efforts. 

Other short-term side effects of using poppers for sex include: 

• Aggression
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Overdose

Long-term use of poppers is linked to decreased sexual functioning and intimacy struggles. Additionally, tolerance and withdrawal occur with frequent and excessive use of this substance associated with sex. Over time, the individuals can become dependent, and many need professional help to overcome their addictions. 

Find Help For Addiction At Inspire Recovery 

If you or your LGBTQ+ loved one is struggling with popper use, there’s help available. Inspire Recovery offers addiction treatment programs designed to address every aspect of substance use disorders. Our team of healthcare professionals is dedicated to helping patients achieve lasting recovery and rebuild their lives.

Call 561-763-9837 or reach out online today for more information on our treatment programs and how we can support you or a loved one on the journey toward sobriety.