Poppers: An Oral History (Emphasis on the Oral)

Let’s get one thing straight — or not. Poppers have never played by the rules, and neither have the people who use them. Whether you're a curious newbie, a seasoned sniffer, or someone who’s had a “Farm to Disco” moment with Double Scorpio, this deep dive into the history, usage, and cultural footprint of poppers will have you inhaling the facts.

And yes, we’re using our noses and our brains for this one.

Poppers is the slang term for a group of chemicals known as alkyl nitrites — most commonly amyl nitrite . They’re inhaled for a brief, euphoric, warm and fuzzy head rush, and they also work their magic on smooth muscle relaxation. Translation? Easier, more pleasurable anal sex.

That’s why the term "poppers and anal relaxation" has become practically synonymous — and not just in Google search.

But poppers weren’t always a go-to sex aid. Long before they became a bedroom staple (or club-floor co-star), they were saving lives.

Back in 1867, amyl nitrite was used as a treatment for angina pectoris, a type of chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. A Scottish physician named Sir Thomas Lauder Brunton discovered that inhaling amyl nitrite could quickly relax blood vessels and relieve chest tightness.

Yep — the original purpose of poppers was literally to open your heart, not your...well, other muscles.

These early versions were stored in tiny glass ampoules called “ pearls.” Patients crushed them between their fingers, releasing a loud pop — giving rise to the slang name “poppers.” (Bonus trivia win: “poppers origin term pearls” right there.)

Poppers didn’t crash the gay party until the 1960s, and by the 1970s, they had taken up permanent residence in queer nightlife. According to the broader history of poppers , their popularity skyrocketed in the LGBTQ+ community — particularly among gay men — because of their ability to relax involuntary muscles like the anus while enhancing the intensity of orgasm.

This combo made them a bedroom MVP and a dance floor sidekick, particularly in spaces like Fire Island, San Francisco bathhouses, and New York’s West Village.

Poppers became more than a sex aid. They were part of queer expression, rebellion, and community — and remain deeply embedded in poppers community history.

While their roots run deep in the gay community, today’s poppers have gone mainstream. Everyone from curious straight couples to TikTok explorers are asking what are poppers used for, and the answer is evolving.

The chemical kick can intensify orgasms for people of all orientations and identities. The short-lived “high” — technically caused by sudden vasodilation and blood pressure drop — offers a fleeting sense of euphoria, warmth, and full-body release.

In other words, people aren’t just doing poppers for sex anymore. They’re doing them for fun, for connection, for exploration.

Like RuPaul’s Drag Race, oat milk, and threesomes — poppers are for everyone now.

The poppers legal status in the USA is a little...murky. In the 1980s, they were banned under the Anti-Drug Abuse Act, but clever marketers found a workaround. Today, poppers are sold as “video head cleaner,” “leather cleaner,” or “room deodorizer” — wink wink.

That’s why, if you're Googling what are poppers used for, you'll often land on cleaner listings instead of chemist-backed FAQs.

Looking globally? The poppers legality in Australia is more transparent. After a brief panic and proposed ban, poppers were reclassified and are now available by prescription through pharmacies — sitting right next to your multivitamins and...actual nail polish remover.

So what exactly are alkyl nitrites? Chemically speaking, they’re esters of nitrous acid and alcohols. But for the rest of us non-chemists, they’re volatile compounds that evaporate quickly at room temp and hit your bloodstream almost instantly via the lungs.

The most common types are:

• Amyl nitrite

• Butyl nitrite

• Isobutyl nitrite

• Isopropyl nitrite

These slight variations in formula can affect the potency, burn, and duration of your experience. Hence why seasoned users have their best poppers brand loyalties.

Just because it’s fun doesn’t mean it’s risk-free. Let’s talk poppers side effects — and how to stay safe.

Short-term effects can include:

• Dizziness

• Headache

• Flushed skin

• Drop in blood pressure

• Nausea if overused or mixed with alcohol

Long-term or unsafe use may lead to:

• Skin irritation around the nose

• Risk of methemoglobinemia (blood oxygen issues)

• Increased risk of injury if combined with other vasodilators (like ED meds)

And yes, there’s a difference between poppers side effects in general and poppers side effects from inhalants specifically.

Poppers usage safety tips:

• Don’t combine with Viagra or other nitrates

• Don’t drink the liquid (it’s toxic)

• Use in ventilated spaces

• Take breaks between hits

• Listen to your body

If Popstar had a star sign, it would be Double Scorpio — Scorpio sun, Scorpio moon, and maybe a rising in leather cleaner.

This beloved brand of poppers, known for its artisan approach and clean formulas, is often praised in every Double Scorpio poppers review. Founded by actual chemists (no shade to your sketchy corner store), Double Scorpio offers high-purity products in scents like:

• Eucalyptus

• Leather

• Tobacco

• Floral

• Peppermint

• Pumpkin Spice (we see you, seasonal sluts)

They even describe their approach as Farm to Disco — and honestly, who could ask for a more poetic sniff?

While we’re not in the poppers game ourselves (leave that to the chemists), Popstar knows a thing or two about optimizing your sexual pleasure. If you’re diving into new territory — or revisiting old favorites — you’ll want your stamina and flavor on point.

Try Popstar Volume + Taste Supplement to amplify your climax and boost that body-made cocktail. Or use Popstar Personal Lubricants if you're playing in popper territory where smooth muscle meets tight entry.

And if you want to delay the fireworks until the exact right moment? Popstar Delay Spray has you covered. No prescription required.

From their 19th-century medical origins to their status as queer icons and bedroom enhancers, poppers have come a long way — literally and metaphorically. They represent freedom, experimentation, connection, and pleasure.

Whether you're popping a pearl, hitting the club, or heating things up in the sheets, poppers hold a special (and slightly buzzy) place in the history of sexuality.

Just remember — know your brands, pace yourself, and treat your body with care. And if you're gonna play, might as well play like a Popstar.