Does poppers consumption destroy your eyes? French researchers warn against the gays' favourite sex drug, other experts plead for serenity
Sniffing poppers can go in the eye. At least that's what a team of doctors from France fears. The sex drug can damage the retina, the researchers write in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The reason for the warning: The eye specialists had treated four people who could no longer see clearly after consuming poppers. The patients also complained of a bright spot in their field of vision. In fact, the experts were able to detect damage to the retina in all patients, precisely at the point that transmits high-resolution images to the brain („visual pit“).
One episode: The victims could only read with difficulty. Fortunately, the symptoms subsided in two of them after a few weeks.
The researchers then searched for and found further cases. Some of them had not been diagnosed by previously treating ophthalmologists because the retinal changes only affected a very small - albeit important - area.
What is poppers?
Poppers is a collective term for certain nitrites that are inhaled. The effect sets in very quickly and only lasts for a short time. Many people use poppers during sex because they have a relaxing effect, trigger a brief feeling of intoxication and loosen up the body. This can make anal intercourse easier, for example.
Effects and possible side effects of poppers
Poppers are inhaled through the nose or mouth. The effect starts almost immediately and only lasts a few minutes. Many describe a brief feeling of intoxication that intensifies perception and makes the body more relaxed. This can feel particularly pleasurable during sex. Poppers typically cause the blood vessels to dilate. This briefly lowers blood pressure, while the pulse can increase. At the same time, the muscles relax - including the sphincter muscle. This is one of the reasons why poppers are often used during anal sex. In small quantities, users often report a stronger sense of pleasure, more intense body sensations and general relaxation. The effect is short, usually subsides quickly and leaves no after-effects for many.
The situation can be different with larger quantities or frequent topping up. This can lead to dizziness, nausea or a sharp drop in blood pressure. In rare cases, circulatory problems and even unconsciousness are also possible. Some also experience erection problems - especially when poppers are consumed together with alcohol or other drugs. The effect of poppers is based on temporary vasodilation, including in the brain. This makes the high feel intense but short. However, poppers do not alter consciousness in the sense of hallucinations. Important: The strength and severity of the effect depends on the quantity, frequency of consumption and possible interactions with other substances. Therefore, the following also applies here: stay informed and assess the risks realistically.
How dangerous is poppers?
This raises the question: How dangerous is poppers? Is there really a risk of permanent eye damage? After all, the colourful mini bottles with beguiling names such as „Jungle Fever“, „Hard Wave“ or „Rush“ are very popular with many gay men. The nitrites they contain have an intoxicating and sexually stimulating effect. Above all, however, they dilate the blood vessels and thus relax the smooth muscles - including the sphincter muscles. This makes anal intercourse easier. However, poppers also have undesirable Side effectsSide effects are undesirable effects of a drug, vaccination or treatment that occur in addition to the desired main effect ... Mehr such as cardiovascular problems and the death of brain cells. Germany tolerates the sale of poppers, although the ingredients are only available on prescription.
"Poppers are widely used," says Rainer Rybak from Check Up, the gay health agency in Cologne. "Many people have these bottles in their fridge."
Eye damage from poppers? The study situation is thin
With regard to the warning call from France, Rybak advises calmness. "Only four individual cases are known so far. With many medical reports, the excitement only boils up until the next pig is driven through the village."
Rybak has been travelling in the gay scene for 15 years and provides information about sexual health. „I'm not personally aware of any cases where someone has suffered serious damage after using poppers.“ Only once at a sex party did a guest pass out after sniffing poppers. „But whether this was due to the poppers, the tight latex bodysuit or a lack of fluids after a night of dancing the night away - it's impossible to say for sure.“ According to Rybak, physical problems such as a racing heart or unconsciousness can rarely be attributed to the drug alone. The first sign of an overdose is hard to ignore with poppers: a stabbing headache when sniffing. „It's such a turn-off that it usually prevents worse things from happening,“ says the party drug expert.
The French research team themselves point out that two of their patients had not only consumed nitrite shortly before losing their sight, but also „half a bottle of high-proof alcohol“ in each case. Nevertheless, the researchers suspect a direct link with the drug. However, this has not yet been proven: although poppers can activate an enzyme that is important for the photoreceptors of the eye, this has - as the researchers also admit - a completely different effect than in the four cases investigated: The enzyme reduces sensitivity to light, but the patients complained of bright, blinding spots.
Interactions problematic
Armin Schafberger, medical officer at Deutsche AIDS-Hilfe, sees a particular danger in interactions: "Poppers are often combined with other drugs such as alcohol, which can lead to health problems much more quickly."
The combination of poppers and Viagra is even life-threatening: It can lead to a sharp drop in blood pressure and even fatal cardiovascular failure. Equally dangerous: taking medication for angina pectoris or high blood pressure at the same time.
In the end, the realisation remains: If you take poppers, you should be aware of the possible consequences and proceed with caution.
(Philip Eicker)
Important tips on poppers consumption
- Never combine poppers with sexual enhancers or nitrates (e.g. in antihypertensive medication): Danger to life!
- Do not drink poppers and do not put them directly into your nose or mouth. Contact with mucous membranes can lead to chemical burns and poisoning.
- If Poppers gets into the eyes, nose or on the skin: rinse thoroughly with water immediately and seek medical attention.
- Do not consume poppers together with alcohol or other drugs. This increases the risk of circulatory problems, dizziness or unconsciousness.
- Always put on a condom before using poppers. After that, it can be more difficult to put on a condom correctly.
- If you have a heart or circulatory condition, it is better to avoid poppers altogether.
More information about poppers on the website hiv-drogen.de (Deutsche AIDS-Hilfe)
Frequently asked questions about poppers
Poppers are often consumed casually, but there are some important points about their effects, risks and safer use. In this FAQ, we answer frequently asked questions about poppers - in a compact and understandable way.
Poppers briefly dilate the blood vessels. This lowers blood pressure, increases the pulse rate and relaxes the muscles. Many people experience a brief feeling of intoxication and more intense physical sensations. The effect usually only lasts a few minutes.
Poppers can Side effectsSide effects are undesirable effects of a drug, vaccination or treatment that occur in addition to the desired main effect ... Mehr especially at higher doses or in combination with other substances. Headaches, dizziness, nausea or circulatory problems are possible. Interactions with certain medications are particularly risky.
Both poppers and sexual enhancers lower blood pressure. Together, this can lead to a sharp drop in blood pressure, which can be life-threatening. Therefore: never combine them.
There are reports of visual disturbances following the consumption of poppers. A clear connection has not yet been conclusively established. What is clear, however, is that direct contact of the liquid with eyes or mucous membranes can lead to severe irritation or burns and should be avoided at all costs.
Poppers are not usually physically addictive. However, some people get used to using poppers during sex and find sex without poppers less intense.
Stay informed, do not experiment with mixed consumption, pay attention to the body's warning signals and never combine poppers with sexual enhancers or certain medications. Less is definitely more here.
More on the subject of drugs
- What to do in case of problems?
- What to do in a drug emergency?
- Drugs & safer sex
- Interactions
- Risk minimisation
- Safer Use
- Understanding slamming: Between intoxication, risk and protection
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