Poppers are a group of chemicals that people inhale to get high. They are typically made with amyl nitrite or a strong-smelling, colorless liquid, often to enhance their senses during sex. Poppers are not addictive, but they are unsafe and can lead to serious health problems or death. People who use them recreationally buy them in small bottles, and they are called “poppers” because once the capsule or bottle is popped open, the liquid turns into a gas that you inhale. Poppers are among several forms of recreational inhalants, and they are typically considered unsafe for people to take.

Poppers primarily act as vasodilators, which means that they expand blood vessels. Having dilated blood vessels can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, dizziness, an increased heart rate, lightheadedness, and warm sensations throughout the body. If blood pressure drops too low, it may cause fainting or a loss of consciousness. Poppers also relax the muscles around the anus, and some people report that using poppers enhances their pleasure from anal sex. However, the drug can also reduce the ability to get an erection. Poppers may cause other unwanted effects, such as headaches, respiratory reactions, crusty skin lesions, and allergic reactions.

Poppers are illegal for human consumption, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate the drug. They are often marketed as room deodorizers, leather cleaners, VHS cleaners, or nail polish removers. Poppers are dangerous and should never be inhaled. Inhaling the fumes from poppers can cause severe side effects, some of which may be fatal. These chemicals can be caustic and damage the skin or other tissues they come in contact with, cause difficulty breathing, extreme drops in blood pressure, decreases in blood oxygen levels, seizures, heart arrhythmia, coma, and death.