Amyl nitrate gay sex
Amyl nitrite: Australia's ban on poppers is an strike on gay and bi men
In the 1890s, South Australia and Queensland became some of the first jurisdictions in the earth to enact laws prohibiting the non-medical use of a particular drug. These laws are the precursors to the modern drug criminalisation regime and would spread across Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US over the next 20 years.
These laws prohibited the manufacture, sale and use of opium, but, more than that, they specifically targeted Chinese migrants in their wording and application. Officials justified the legislation by appealing to anti-immigrant sentiment and racist stereotypes such as “the sensual Chinaman”.
Widely regarded as racially discriminatory, these laws were a weapon leveraged against a much-maligned minority. Attitudes about the drug reflected stereotypes and fears about Chinese people, and especially Chinese men.
We can see a parallel in the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s proposal to criminalise a family of alkyl nitrites commonly referred to as “amyl” or “poppers”. The ban would see poppers placed in the same category as heroin and the sale, use and possession of am
This article was clinically reviewed by: Michelle, MD; Ronica, FNP, Acupuncturist, PMHNP-c; and Jess, DNP.
Poppers is a name for a chemical inhalant called amyl nitrite. Packaged in small bottles, they can be sold as room aromas or deodorizers and even “VHS cleaners”. You’ve probably seen the brand, RUSH, in necklaces, back pockets, or purses. They’re a usual part of gay nightlife and the overall lgbtq+ cultural canon and beyond. In nightlife scenes, people inhale poppers by closing one nostril with their pointer finger and inhaling deeply with the other open nostril.
We know the role that poppers participate in our community and we want to aide you stay safe while using them. Here’s what you need to recognize about poppers and how they interact with medications prescribed by FOLX clinicians.
What are poppers?
When amyl nitrate was developed in the 19th century, it was used to treat those with chest pain or angina. Soon, its benefits were discovered as it became more known. While poppers can be used for different medical ailments, the queer nightlife’s utilize of poppers is purely recreational. Though amyl nitrate is a legal substance, it’s technically illegal to sell them over t
Is alkyl nitrite (poppers) safe?
People typically use poppers for a pleasurable feeling of intoxication or euphoria, but some find the exposure unpleasant and disorientating.
Poppers primarily act as vasodilators, which means that they extend blood vessels. Having dilated blood vessels can cause:
- a sudden drop in blood pressure
- dizziness
- an increased heart rate
- lightheadedness
- warm sensations throughout the body
If blood pressure drops too low, it may produce fainting or a decrease of consciousness.
Poppers also calm down the muscles around the anus. Some people inform 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: Because poppers cause blood vessels in the head to widen, headaches can result. They can vary in intensity and may persist after the euphoric effects of the drug wear off.
- Respiratory reactions: Inhaling strong chemicals, such as poppers, can affect breathing and other functions of the respiratory tract, principal to sinus problems and wheezing.
- Allergic reactions: Scented poppers can cause problems for pe
How are they used?
Alkyl Nitrites are inhaled, most often directly from the bottle.1
Never swallow or inject alkyl nitrites.1Incorrect exploit can cause thoughtful harms including blindness, brain damage, organ failure and death.1
Alkyl Nitrites are used for their muscle relaxing and euphoric effects.1 They’re commonly used to augment sexual experiences.5 They’re also used as a ‘party drug’, to experience a general sense of pleasure and euphoria.6
Alkyl nitrites are often labelled for other uses, such as a boot/leather cleaner, room deodoriser or nail polish remover.1 These labels often state ‘not for inhalation’, which can lead to confusion and, in some cases, people swallowing it instead.1
Effects of alkyl nitrites
Use of any drug can have risks. It’s important to be careful when taking any type of drug. Alkyl nitrites will affect everyone differently, based on:
- size, weight and health
- whether the person is used to taking it
- whether other drugs are taken around the same time
- the amount taken
- the vigor of the drug
- environment (where the drug is taken)
The effects of different alkyl nitrites are similar, but some are more potent than others.7 I
Poppers
What's the Score?
Poppers are also known as: amyl/butyl/isobutyl nitrite, amyl (especially in Australia, where it's promounced 'ammul'), aromas and by brand names fond of Liquid Gold, Rush, etc. They're often (but wrongly) called 'nitrates', which is a similar, but different chemical.
Poppers are a liquid made from chemicals from the alkyl nitrite family. The name comes from the days when they came in glass capsules that popped when broken open.
Sex on Poppers
Poppers can make you perceive horny, lower your inhibitions and produce orgasms feel stronger. Because they unbend the sphincter (the muscle in the arse hole) poppers can make it easier to be fucked or fisted. They can bring about a man to lose his hard-on too.
Research shows poppers might compete an important role in HIV organism passed on. The reasons could be:
- poppers can reduce inhibitions, making unsafe sex more likely
- there's a bigger risk of the arse bleeding (poppers expand blood vessels inside the arse)
- and/or poppers might make the immune system weaker for a short age, so that people are more uncover to infection.
It's thought the biggest risk of HIV being pass