Popper's story

Have you been using these flavors for years and would you consider yourself a true fan? If you enjoy taking a look behind the scenes, you're probably also interested in the history of poppers.

If you want to know how it all began and how poppers have changed over time, you should definitely read on. Here you'll learn everything about the beginnings of these stimulants and their development into a true "institution" within the gay scene. Enjoy this little erotic journey through time.

What are poppers?

Anyone who wants to understand the history of poppers should first understand what they are. Poppers are liquids composed of various chemicals. Their composition varies depending on the brand and product. The most common ingredients include:

Pentyl nitrite
Isoamyl nitrite
Isopropyl nitrite

Some manufacturers try, among other things, to use fragrances to create a particularly individual touch and thus mask the characteristic smell of the poppers.

But as different as poppers are, they all have one thing in common: After the bottles are opened, the aroma quickly evaporates into the room. Afterward, you can inhale it and let it work its magic on you.

Speaking of "work": These arousing agents not only make your mind suddenly revolve around sex, but also relax your muscles. And that's precisely why nothing stands in the way of some "rougher practices" or other. Whether in the BDSM area or during wild sex: With poppers, you can really let go.

Please note that poppers can be harmful (or even life-threatening) for some people. This is especially true if you have pre-existing medical conditions and/or are taking certain medications. If in doubt, be sure to consult your doctor beforehand.

And by the way: You may have come across sites or people in the past who describe poppers as "room fragrance" or "leather cleaner." This is the result of repeated calls to ban these aromas as arousals.

How long have poppers been around?

Poppers aren't a new trend. In fact, these compounds were used around 200 years ago to treat angina pectoris. They also occasionally provided valuable assistance during childbirth.

People never tired of researching the individual compositions. It quickly became clear that the mixtures:

a reduction in blood pressure
a faster pulse
dilated vessels

The amyl nitrite-based medications were available over the counter at pharmacies. The corresponding liquids were dripped onto a piece of cloth and then inhaled. The problem: The substances helped relieve the symptoms of angina pectoris – but only briefly. Within a few minutes, the symptoms would return. (You've probably already noticed that the effect of today's poppers isn't as long-lasting either.) And that's precisely why amyl was eventually discontinued.

Those who had focused on producing poppers now had to look for another area of application.

Poppers: Use in the 1960s and 1970s

After poppers no longer played a role in medical terms, they slowly drifted into the illegal sphere. Some consumed them at parties, others even as soldiers in war.

And because it was already possible to reduce one's own pain sensitivity with the help of aromas, these substances soon played an important role in the BDSM scene. Apart from that, some gay men found it convenient that they also made anal sex with a "slightly better-endowed partner" possible without any problems.

The first professionally marketed poppers were under the "Locker Room" brand, and soon, for many gay men, sniffing during sex became a part of their routine.

In the mid-1970s, "Rush" poppers came onto the market. At the time, they were known as "liquid room fragrance" and were available in many locations, including record stores. Some clubs in the US even sprayed the aromas so that everyone present could enjoy them. Society was relatively open about these arousing substances. There were even advertising campaigns designed to further increase the popularity of the aromas.

The turnaround in the 1980s

Especially during the 1980s, the image of poppers changed. The number of people infected with HIV grew. And many saw poppers, among other things, as the cause of the problem. Ultimately, it was never possible to prove this connection 100 percent. However, this does not change the fact that the flavors have not been able to completely shake off this image since then.